Russian missile blamed for Azerbaijan Airlines crash that killed 38; Moscow responds

Azerbaijan Airlines crash in Aktau: Russian missile suspected

On Wednesday, an Azerbaijan Airlines plane tragically crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau, leaving 38 people dead and 29 others injured, including three children. The Embraer 190 aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, Chechnya, was forced to divert due to dense fog in Grozny, ultimately requesting an emergency landing near Aktau. Authorities have declared a nationwide day of mourning in Azerbaijan, while investigations point to the possibility of a Russian surface-to-air missile being behind the crash.

Crash details and initial reports

The Azerbaijani government confirmed that shrapnel hit passengers and cabin crew after the missile reportedly exploded near the plane mid-flight. The aircraft crashed approximately three kilometers from Aktau, a major oil and gas hub on the Caspian Sea’s eastern shore. Video footage showed the plane descending steeply before erupting into flames, with parts of the fuselage ripped apart and the wreckage lying upside down.

The crash left the nation in shock, with survivors recounting harrowing scenes. Elmira, a Kazakh woman who rushed to the site, described the survivors as “covered in blood” and crying for help. Eleven of the injured remain in intensive care, according to Kazakh health authorities.

Investigation points to Russian missile

An investigation is underway, with Azerbaijani and US officials suggesting that the plane may have been downed by a Russian surface-to-air missile fired from a Pantsir-S air defense system. This claim, reported by outlets including The New York Times and Euronews, has drawn comparisons to the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014.

Military experts noted significant shrapnel damage on the wreckage, consistent with a missile strike. Azerbaijan Airlines initially attributed the crash to a bird strike but later withdrew the statement.

Russia warns against Reports

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete, stating, “It would be wrong to make any hypotheses before the investigation’s conclusions.”

Flight details and passenger demographics

The ill-fated flight carried 67 people, including 37 Azerbaijani passengers, six Kazakhs, three Kyrgyz, and 16 Russians. Flight Radar data showed the plane deviating from its planned route, crossing the Caspian Sea, and circling before crashing near Aktau. The incident has raised questions about the route change, with conflicting reports citing weather conditions and bird strikes as potential causes before the missile theory emerged.

Day of mourning in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared Thursday a national day of mourning for the victims. Flags were lowered, traffic stopped at noon, and sirens sounded nationwide during a moment of silence. President Aliyev canceled his planned visit to Russia for a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit, offering condolences to the victims’ families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

Survivors and heartbreaking stories

The crash left many heart-wrenching stories. Jalil Aliyev, the father of flight attendant Hokume Aliyeva, shared his grief, saying, “Why did her young life have to end so tragically?” Aliyeva had planned to retire from flying to begin her career as a lawyer.

Kazakhstan’s health ministry reported that 11 of the injured are in critical condition, with survivors receiving treatment in local hospitals. Two black-box flight recorders have been recovered, providing critical data for the ongoing investigation.

A nation united in grief

As Azerbaijan mourns the tragic loss of life, the investigation continues to uncover the events leading to the crash. The possibility of a missile strike has raised concerns about aviation safety in the region and intensified scrutiny of Russian military operations. For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims and their families while piecing together the truth behind this devastating incident.

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