Azerbaijan Airlines Links Christmas Day Plane Crash to External Interference

 

Azerbaijan Airlines has revealed that its aircraft, which tragically crashed in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, killing 38 people, was likely brought down by "external physical and technical interference." Preliminary findings from an ongoing investigation have prompted the airline to suspend flights to five Russian airports, citing potential safety concerns.

The ill-fated plane, en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny in Russia's Chechnya region, veered hundreds of miles off course and crashed into a field near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Despite the chaos, 29 passengers survived the incident, with many hospitalized for severe injuries.

According to Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia’s civil aviation agency, Ukrainian military drones were allegedly attacking civilian infrastructure in Chechnya at the time of the crash. Heavy fog further complicated conditions around Grozny, leading the pilot to divert to Aktau. Yadrov stated that the plane made two unsuccessful landing attempts before heading toward Kazakhstan.

Speculation about the cause of the crash has escalated, with some U.S. and Ukrainian officials suggesting that Russian air defense systems may have mistakenly brought down the plane. John Kirby, a White House spokesperson, noted that initial intelligence points to this possibility and offered U.S. assistance in the investigation.

Passengers on the flight recounted hearing loud explosions before the crash. Subhonkul Rakhimov, one survivor, described the plane as behaving erratically and noted that shrapnel appeared to have pierced the fuselage.

Images from the crash site showed the aircraft engulfed in flames upon impact, intensifying scrutiny over what transpired in the skies above Grozny.

The incident has led to widespread disruptions in the region’s air travel. Several airlines, including Kazakhstan’s Qazaq Air and Israel’s El Al, have temporarily suspended flights to southern Russian airports, citing safety concerns.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijani officials and lawmakers have demanded accountability. Rasim Musabekov, an Azerbaijani parliamentarian, called for Russia to issue an apology, compensate victims, and ensure such incidents are not repeated.

Musabekov also criticized the handling of the flight’s emergency request, alleging that the aircraft was denied permission to land at Grozny and nearby airports. He argued that Russian authorities failed to close the airspace despite operating air defense systems near the area.

Authorities in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan continue to probe the crash. Early reports suggest the plane may have been targeted by a Russian Pantsir-S air defense system. However, the Kremlin has refrained from commenting, urging patience until the investigation is complete.

The crash has heightened tensions in an already volatile region, with international attention now focused on uncovering the truth behind this devastating incident.