Investigators are examining the possibility that Russian air defense systems caused the crash of a passenger plane in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, while Russian authorities suggested a Ukrainian drone attack may have contributed to the incident.
The crash involved an Azerbaijan Airlines flight traveling from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, which went down near Aktau on the Caspian Sea, resulting in 38 fatalities among the 67 people on board. Survivors reported hearing an explosion during the flight. Authorities from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia have initiated criminal inquiries to ascertain the cause of the crash, with Russian aviation agency Rosaviatsia offering full cooperation.
Azerbaijani investigators suspect that the aircraft was damaged by a Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system while in the vicinity of Grozny. In response to the preliminary findings, Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to eight Russian cities, citing “physical and technical external interference” as a factor in the crash.
Azerbaijan’s transportation minister stated that the crash was due to “external interference,” and noted that surviving passengers reported hearing an explosion. Initial Russian explanations for the incident included claims of fog and bird strikes, but later statements indicated that the plane was diverted due to ongoing drone attacks in the region.
Russian officials noted that the pilot attempted to land in Grozny but faced difficulties and eventually opted to fly to Aktau. Azerbaijani lawmakers have called for an apology from Russia and accountability regarding the incident, emphasizing that the relationship between the two countries should not shield Russia from responsibility.
The plane, an Embraer 190, ceased transmitting radar information upon entering Russian airspace and was reportedly subjected to GPS jamming. Russian media initially attributed the crash to fog and bird strikes, but experts have raised doubts about these claims, highlighting military activity in the area at the time.
As the investigation continues, significant issues with the plane’s altitude control have been noted, with reports indicating that the aircraft experienced major control system failures prior to entering Kazakhstan’s airspace. Experts suggest that severe damage to the plane's electrical and hydraulic systems may have rendered it uncontrollable.
Investigators are now concentrating on the role of Russian air defense systems in the crash, with some online commentators suggesting that the aircraft may have been accidentally shot down. Verified video evidence shows damage to the tail section of the plane, further complicating the narrative surrounding the incident.