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Azerbaijan Airlines Crash Likely Caused by Russian Air Defence, Investigations Ongoing
Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashes in Kazakhstan; Russian air defences may have mistakenly shot it down. 38 dead, 29 survivors.
ND
by News Desk
2024-12-28
Azerbaijan Airlines Crash Likely Caused by Russian Air Defence, Investigations Ongoing

An Azerbaijan Airlines flight, J2-8243, crashed on Wednesday near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan after diverting from its original destination, Grozny, in southern Russia. The crash, which resulted in at least 38 fatalities and 29 survivors, has raised questions about the potential involvement of Russian air defences in the disaster.

The plane, an Embraer passenger jet, had been en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny in Chechnya when it was forced to change course due to adverse weather conditions, including dense fog. As the plane approached its original destination, passengers reported hearing loud bangs, followed by signs of severe distress in the cabin.

Subhonkul Rakhimov, one of the passengers, described hearing a loud bang that made him fear the plane was going to fall apart. "It was obvious that the plane had been damaged," Rakhimov told Reuters from the hospital. Another passenger, Vafa Shabanova, confirmed hearing a similar sound, with oxygen levels reportedly dropping after the bangs.

Flight attendant Zulfugar Asadov added to the account, describing multiple bangs coming from the left wing and indicating that the cabin had lost pressure. The captain of the flight was reportedly advised to attempt an emergency sea landing but chose instead to divert the plane to Aktau, where it crash-landed on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea.

The aircraft's descent was tumultuous, and footage recorded by passengers before the crash showed oxygen masks deployed and life vests being worn. Following the crash, passengers were seen exiting the wreckage, many injured and bloodied. Despite the devastating crash, 29 people survived, but the situation remains dire.

Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to Russian cities following the incident and suggested that "external interference" may have contributed to the crash. Although the airline has not provided further details on the nature of the interference, multiple sources familiar with the preliminary investigation indicated that Russian air defences had mistakenly shot down the plane.

The Russian government has not confirmed this theory, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that the official investigation must conclude before making any judgments. Russia’s aviation watchdog, Rosaviatsia, acknowledged that the plane had been rerouted due to weather conditions and a local alert over Ukrainian drone activity in the region. The aircraft had been operating in an area frequently targeted by Ukrainian drones, and Russia has deployed numerous air defence systems to counter these attacks.

The incident underscores the dangers facing civil aviation in conflict zones, even when far from the frontlines. The ongoing drone war between Russia and Ukraine has introduced significant risks for civilian air traffic, with air defences frequently engaged in countering drone threats.

Experts like Andrew Nicholson, CEO of Osprey Flight Solutions, have highlighted the increased risks to civilian aircraft when flying through areas with active air defence operations. "The second you stick civilian aircraft in that same airspace, you massively increase the risk," Nicholson said.

Investigations into the crash are ongoing, with support from both Kazakh and Azerbaijani authorities. The situation remains fluid, and the true cause of the crash may take time to fully ascertain. However, if Russian air defences are indeed found to be responsible, this will add to a growing list of tragic accidents involving mistaken targeting of civilian aircraft in conflict zones, including the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014 and the shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 in 2020.
Tagged:

AzerbaijanAirlines

RussianAirDefence

KazakhstanCrash

AviationAccident
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