Azerbaijan Airlines announced on December 27, 2024, that preliminary findings from the investigation into the crash of a Russia-bound passenger plane suggest "physical and technical external interference." The Embraer jet crashed near Aktau airport in Kazakhstan on December 25, resulting in 38 fatalities and 29 survivors.
In response to the investigation's initial results, Azerbaijan Airlines suspended flights to several Russian cities, although it will continue operations to six major destinations, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. A flight to Mineralnie Vody was forced to return to Baku after a section of Russian airspace was closed.
Survivors reported hearing a loud bang as the plane neared Grozny, its intended destination. One passenger described the aircraft's behavior as erratic, stating, "It was as if it was drunk - not the same plane anymore." Another echoed the sentiment of fear during the incident.
The Kremlin has refrained from commenting on the allegations regarding Russian air defense involvement, emphasizing that an investigation is ongoing. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, stated that conclusions must be awaited before making any statements.
Additionally, Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia's civil aviation agency, noted that fog was present at Grozny airport during the incident and claimed that Ukrainian drones were conducting strikes in the vicinity at the time. Ukrainian presidential advisor Andriy Yermak attributed responsibility for the crash to Russia, suggesting the plane was shot down.
Reports from various news agencies indicate that a Russian missile may have been involved, with Azerbaijani sources expressing expectations for Russia to acknowledge the incident.