Key Points:
- Crash Details: Azerbaijani airliner crashes in southwestern Kazakhstan, killing at least 38 passengers.
- Possible Cause: Reports suggest the plane may have been shot down by a Russian surface-to-air missile.
- Emergency Landing: Pilot attempted an emergency landing after a bird strike, according to Russian aviation authorities.
- Drone Activity: Incident follows recent drone strikes in southern Russia, leading to airport closures.
- Investigations: Ongoing investigations by international and independent aviation security firms.
An Azerbaijani airliner, which tragically crashed in southwestern Kazakhstan, has raised international concerns as reports suggest it may have been shot down by a Russian surface-to-air missile. The crash, which resulted in the deaths of at least 38 passengers, occurred shortly after the plane attempted an emergency landing following a bird strike, according to Russia’s aviation watchdog.
CNN reported that the crash happened soon after drone strikes hit southern Russia, causing airport closures in the region. The Wall Street Journal cited an alert from Osprey Flight Solutions, indicating that the flight was likely downed by a Russian military air-defense system. Matt Borie, the chief intelligence officer at Osprey, noted that video evidence and the security environment in southwest Russia suggest the aircraft was hit by antiaircraft fire.
Footage analyzed by Russian independent media outlet Meduza showed traces of a large surface-to-air missile impact on the plane’s tail section. Similar damage has been documented in other aircraft downed by such missiles, as reported by The Kyiv Independent.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged against speculation about the crash’s cause until a thorough investigation is completed. Meanwhile, Embraer, the Brazilian manufacturer of the aircraft, expressed its commitment to supporting the investigation.
The ill-fated Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 was en route from Baku to Grozny when it made an emergency landing near Aktau. Survivors, captured on video emerging from the wreckage, have been hospitalized, while authorities work on identifying the victims.
Kazakh official Bozumbayev confirmed that the bodies are in poor condition and identification is ongoing. One survivor remains unidentified and unconscious in the hospital.
