On December 27, 2024, Russia issued a warning against speculation regarding the cause of a passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan that resulted in 38 fatalities. The aircraft, an Embraer 190 operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was en route from Baku to Grozny when it crashed near Aktau, far from its intended destination.
Following the incident, Azerbaijani government sources suggested that a Russian surface-to-air missile may have downed the plane. In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged caution, stating, 'It would be a mistake to propose hypotheses before the investigation concludes.' He emphasized the need to await the investigation's findings before making any comments.
Kazakhstan's aviation authority confirmed the crash and noted that the situation at Grozny Airport was complicated due to Ukrainian drone attacks in the region. Dmitri Yadrov, head of Rosaviatsia, stated that Grozny Airport had implemented contingency plans in response to these threats, leading to the immediate departure of all aircraft.
Reports indicate that the aircraft's captain attempted to land in Grozny twice before diverting to Aktau. Azerbaijan Airlines announced the suspension of flights to seven Russian cities following the accident, pending the investigation's results.
Azerbaijani Deputy Rasim Musabekov mentioned that an investigation is underway to ascertain whether the plane was hit by Russian air defense fire. He noted that images of the aircraft displayed damage consistent with anti-aircraft missile strikes. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, indicated that there are signs a Russian air defense system may have struck the plane.
As of now, no official statements have been made by the countries involved regarding the potential missile strike hypothesis, which suggests the aircraft was hit as it approached its destination in Russia.