Sixty-nine people, including 52 children travelling from Bashkortostan to a Spanish resort, were killed when their Tu-154 collided with a Boeing B-757 cargo aircraft in the early hours of July 2 over Uberlingen, southern Germany.
The Russian leader also sent a telegram of condolence to President Murtaza Rakhimov of Bashkortostan. The telegram said: “Please convey my deepest condolences to the relatives of the air crash victims. It is particularly hard to find words of consolation for those who have lost children, their most precious possession. The whole of Russia mourns together with you.”
Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone with Murtaza Rakhimov and discussed emergency aid for the relatives of the victims.