The crash of an Azerbaijani Airlines plane in Kazakhstan has triggered international scrutiny, with U.S. and Azerbaijani officials suggesting that Russian air defense systems may have caused the tragedy. The Embraer 190 aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday, killing 38 people and injuring 29 survivors.
White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby stated Friday that early indications point to the possibility that Russian air defenses mistakenly targeted the aircraft. “We have seen some preliminary evidence suggesting this, but investigations are ongoing,” Kirby said, withholding further details.
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transportation, Rashan Nabiyev, cited preliminary expert analyses and survivor testimonies indicating “external impact” on the plane. “The exact type of weapon involved will be determined during the investigation,” Nabiyev noted.
Passengers and crew who survived recounted harrowing details, including loud noises before the crash. Flight attendant Aydan Rahimli described oxygen masks deploying after an initial bang, followed by another loud impact. A crew member, Zulfugar Asadov, described injuries consistent with external explosions, rejecting claims that an oxygen canister had burst inside the aircraft.
The plane was originally scheduled to land in Grozny, the regional capital of Chechnya, but diverted to Kazakhstan following reports of Ukrainian drone attacks in the area. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia’s civil aviation authority, confirmed that the Grozny airport had been closed to air traffic due to security concerns.
Aviation experts analyzing the wreckage noted damage to the aircraft’s tail section consistent with missile fire. However, Russian officials have yet to address these claims directly.
Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to multiple Russian cities, citing “physical and technical interference.” Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s Qazaq Air and other international airlines, including FlyDubai and Israel’s El Al, have temporarily halted flights to Russian destinations, citing concerns over airspace safety.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on allegations of Russian air defense involvement. “The investigation is ongoing, and we will await official findings,” he said.
If confirmed, this incident would mark the second fatal civil aviation crash linked to Russia’s military actions. In 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine by a Russian missile, killing 298 people. The tragedy intensified global tensions and drew widespread condemnation of Moscow.
The Azerbaijani Prosecutor General’s office confirmed that investigators are actively working in Grozny and other locations to determine the cause of the crash. As the probe continues, the incident has further strained relations in the region and raised questions about airspace security amid ongoing conflicts.
Stay tuned to Amnewsworld for updates on this developing story.
![](https://amnewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ami-banner.png"/)
