MOSCOW. July 18 (Interfax) - State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin has offered condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the Malaysia Airlines plane crash in Ukraine and said it is amazing that the Ukrainian authorities have allowed a commercial jetliner to fly over a combat zone.
"It is amazing that the Ukrainian aviation authorities have permitted a civilian passenger plane to fly over the combat zone where the Ukrainian army and National Guard are using armor, heavy artillery, warplanes and rocket launchers. The very fact the airliner was permitted to fly across that airspace is at least culpable negligence, and I do not even want to think it would be a criminal intention," Naryshkin told reporters on Friday.
The speaker offered deep condolences to the families and friends of the plane crash victims on behalf of State Duma deputies.
"My deepest condolences to everyone who have lost their near and dear, their friends and compatriots. I want to hope that the truce offered for the crash investigation period can help restore peace," Naryshkin said.