Shot down by Russia, who then denied them landing at Grozny, and who also degraded the GPS, and then sent them out over the Caspian. No troublesome evidence of shrapnel damage if it crashes in the water.

My two responses to a newspaper

My response not approved

If that is the way it happened, then it was an act of sheer bastardry. Like the shooting down of the Malaysian Airlines plane several years ago – with Russia home free in terms of consequence.

My response approved

This would have been a sad, unintended and tragic accident. I am sure that civil aviation authorities, with empathy and support from Russia, will try to find the cause and alleviate the suffering of those who have lost loved ones. Russia may well offer support to those hospitalised with injuries, for there is a quality of humanitarianism and care for those suffering from accidenr or injury within the regime.