Azerbaijan Airlines Crash: Speculation Points to Russian Missile as Cause Amid Ongoing Investigation
Preview
Preview
Preview
Preview
An Azerbaijan Airlines flight, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in the deaths of 38 of the 67 people on board. The crash occurred on Wednesday, and the investigation into the cause has pointed to "physical and technical external interference" as a significant factor.
Preview
Preview
Preview
Azerbaijan Airlines has suggested that the plane may have been hit by a missile, specifically a Russian anti-aircraft system. This speculation has been fueled by reports from U.S. and Azerbaijani officials, who have indicated that early evidence suggests the plane was likely shot down by a Russian air defense system. The incident happened amid a Ukrainian drone attack targeting Grozny, and Russian air defense forces were active in the area at the time.
Preview
Preview
The crash has led to the suspension of flights from Baku to several Russian cities by Azerbaijan Airlines, citing the ongoing investigation. This decision was made following the suspension of flights to Grozny and Makhachkala, which was initially introduced after the crash. The airline has also suspended flights to ten additional Russian airports.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for those responsible to be held accountable, drawing attention to the incident. The Russian aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, has acknowledged the complex situation around Grozny, citing the presence of Ukrainian combat drones and dense fog in the area.Despite these statements, Russian officials have cautioned against speculation about the cause of the crash, and the Kremlin has not commented on reports suggesting the plane was mistakenly targeted by Russian air defenses. The investigation into the crash continues, with various sources pointing to the possibility of the plane being downed by a Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile after being misidentified as a Ukrainian drone.
