Azerbaijan Accuses Russia of Missile Strike in Kazakhstan Plane Crash

Azerbaijani government sources allege that a Russian surface-to-air missile caused the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, claiming the lives of 38 people.

The incident, which coincided with the temporary closure of several Russian airports, remains under investigation, with Moscow urging against premature speculation.

According to Azerbaijani officials, the missile was fired during drone activity over Grozny and exploded near the aircraft, damaging the plane and injuring passengers and crew. Despite the pilots’ requests for an emergency landing, the aircraft was reportedly denied access to Russian airports and redirected over the Caspian Sea to Aktau, Kazakhstan. Allegations also suggest the plane's GPS navigation systems were deliberately disrupted during the flight.

Russian Airports Temporarily Shut

On the same day, four major Moscow airports and one regional airport in Kaluga, approximately 160 kilometers southwest of the capital, were temporarily closed. Russia's civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, confirmed the closures but did not specify the reasons, stating only that "all necessary measures were being taken to ensure flight safety."

Conflicting Explanations

The Kremlin has urged patience as investigations continue, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissing early claims as speculative. Russia’s civil aviation authority has suggested that the diversion may have been caused by a bird strike, though aviation experts have questioned this, noting that bird strikes typically lead to immediate landings rather than prolonged diversions.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has pointed to poor weather as a potential factor in the route change, while emphasizing the need for clarity from the ongoing investigation.

Fatal Crash in Kazakhstan

The Embraer aircraft was carrying 62 passengers and five crew members. Eyewitness footage shows the plane losing altitude sharply before erupting into flames, with black smoke filling the sky. Survivors, including two children, were rushed to a nearby hospital, while Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozubayev confirmed 38 fatalities.

Kazakhstan has established a commission to investigate the crash and assist victims’ families. The plane’s black box has been recovered and will be analyzed, with Embraer pledging full cooperation.

Rising Tensions in the Region

The crash occurred amidst heightened tensions following Ukrainian drone attacks in Russia's Chechen region. While the exact causes of the crash remain unclear, the incident has raised questions about regional security and airspace management.

Both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov have expressed condolences to Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, as the region grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy.

(Source: To Vima)