Xi extends condolences to Putin over plane crash

Photo taken on Dec. 2, 2020 shows the Saint Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin in Moscow, capital of Russia. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a message of condolence to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, over a plane crash in Russia.

In his message, Xi said he was shocked to hear about the tragedy in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, which caused heavy casualties.

He expressed deep condolences over the fatalities and offered sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured.