Baku, Azerbaijan β A preliminary investigation has indicated that a Russian missile was responsible for the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which resulted in the deaths of 38 passengers on Wednesday, December 25, 2024.
The aircraft, an Embraer 190, was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when it was diverted and ultimately crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan.
Azerbaijani Government Confirms Missile Strike
Azerbaijani government sources have exclusively confirmed to Euronews that the crash was caused by a Russian surface-to-air missile. The missile, launched from a Pantsir-S air defense system, struck the aircraft as it was passing over Chechnya, where Russian air defense forces were actively attempting to shoot down Ukrainian UAVs. The head of the Security Council of the Chechen Republic, Khamzat Kadyrov, confirmed that a drone attack on Grozny took place on Wednesday morning, though there were no casualties or damage reported from the drone strike itself.
Expert Analysis and Speculation
The crash has raised significant concerns and speculation about Russian involvement. Russian military experts, including Yan Matveyev, noted that images of the crashed plane’s tail reveal damage compatible with shrapnel from a small surface-to-air missile, such as the Pantsir-S1 air defense system. Osprey Flight Solutions, an aviation security firm based in the United Kingdom, warned its clients that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was likely shot down by a Russian military air-defense system.
Kremlin and Azerbaijan Call for Thorough Investigation
The Kremlin has warned against speculation regarding Russia’s role in the incident. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that it would be incorrect to make any hypotheses before the investigation comes to conclusions, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev also cautioned against premature theories, stressing the importance of a comprehensive investigation.
Memories of MH17 Resurface
The crash has evoked memories of previous incidents, including the MH17 crash in Ukraine in 2014, where a surface-to-air missile downed a commercial aircraft. If the preliminary data is confirmed, this would be the second time in a decade that Russian forces have destroyed a commercial aircraft.
Ongoing Investigation and National Mourning
Further investigation into the crash is expected to unveil the circumstances surrounding the missile’s firing, the non-authorization for landing at a nearby airport in Russia, and the instruction to cross the sea with a damaged plane. The incident has led to a nationwide day of mourning in Azerbaijan, with flags lowered across the country on Thursday.
Geopolitical Implications
The crash has also highlighted the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, with Azerbaijan and Russia maintaining bilateral ties despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. Azerbaijan has become an essential partner for trade and acts as a corridor to Iran, underscoring the delicate balance of relations in the area.
As the investigation continues, the international community awaits further details and the official findings to understand the full extent of the tragedy and its implications.