Vladimir Putin admitted Saturday Russian air defense was working when an Azerbaijani Airlines plane tried to land in Grozny ...

Putin's apology came as allegations mounted that the plane had been shot down by Russian air defenses attempting to deflect a Ukrainian drone strike.

Survivors have shared the terrifying moment Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 was diverted from its destination of Grozny and then hit three times.

Kremlin statement did not say Russia had shot down the plane, only noting that a criminal case had been opened.