Russia's History of Downing Passenger Planes and Subsequent Cover-Ups

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Russia has a history of downing passenger planes, often followed by attempts to cover up these incidents. Here are some notable examples:

Korean Air Lines Flight 007 (1983):
- Incident: On September 1, 1983, a Korean Air Lines jumbo jetliner flying from Anchorage, Alaska to Seoul, South Korea, strayed into Soviet airspace and was shot down by a Soviet interceptor, killing all 269 people on board.
- Cover-Up: The Soviet Union initially denied any involvement and claimed the aircraft was a spy plane. It took several days before they admitted to shooting down the plane, but they maintained it was a deliberate act of espionage.

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Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (2014):
- Incident: On July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine by a Russian-made BUK surface-to-air missile. All 298 people on board were killed.
- Cover-Up: Russia initially denied any involvement and blamed Ukrainian forces. However, an international investigation concluded that the missile was fired from territory controlled by Russian-backed separatists, and Russia was likely responsible for supplying the missile system.

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Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (2020):
- Incident: On January 8, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by two surface-to-air missiles shortly after takeoff from Tehran, Iran, killing all 176 people on board.
- Cover-Up: Iran initially denied any involvement but later admitted that the plane was accidentally shot down by its military. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

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Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 (2024):
- Incident: On December 25, 2024, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after attempting to land in Grozny, Russia. The plane was reportedly hit by a Russian anti-aircraft missile, killing 38 of the 67 people on board.
- Cover-Up: Russia has declined to comment on the reports, and the Kremlin has not taken responsibility. Preliminary investigations suggest that the crash was due to "external interference," likely from a Russian air defense system.

These incidents demonstrate a pattern where Russia or its allies have been involved in shooting down passenger planes, often followed by denials and attempts to shift blame or obscure the facts.

Preview

Russia's History of Downing Passenger Planes and Subsequent Cover-Ups

Preview

Russia has a history of downing passenger planes, often followed by attempts to cover up these incidents. Here are some notable examples:

Korean Air Lines Flight 007 (1983):
- Incident: On September 1, 1983, a Korean Air Lines jumbo jetliner flying from Anchorage, Alaska to Seoul, South Korea, strayed into Soviet airspace and was shot down by a Soviet interceptor, killing all 269 people on board.
- Cover-Up: The Soviet Union initially denied any involvement and claimed the aircraft was a spy plane. It took several days before they admitted to shooting down the plane, but they maintained it was a deliberate act of espionage.

Preview

Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (2014):
- Incident: On July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine by a Russian-made BUK surface-to-air missile. All 298 people on board were killed.
- Cover-Up: Russia initially denied any involvement and blamed Ukrainian forces. However, an international investigation concluded that the missile was fired from territory controlled by Russian-backed separatists, and Russia was likely responsible for supplying the missile system.

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Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (2020):
- Incident: On January 8, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by two surface-to-air missiles shortly after takeoff from Tehran, Iran, killing all 176 people on board.
- Cover-Up: Iran initially denied any involvement but later admitted that the plane was accidentally shot down by its military. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

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Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 (2024):
- Incident: On December 25, 2024, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after attempting to land in Grozny, Russia. The plane was reportedly hit by a Russian anti-aircraft missile, killing 38 of the 67 people on board.
- Cover-Up: Russia has declined to comment on the reports, and the Kremlin has not taken responsibility. Preliminary investigations suggest that the crash was due to "external interference," likely from a Russian air defense system.

These incidents demonstrate a pattern where Russia or its allies have been involved in shooting down passenger planes, often followed by denials and attempts to shift blame or obscure the facts.

Preview