An Azerbaijani airliner may have been struck by Russian air defense systems, U.S. and Azerbaijani officials suggested on Friday. The plane, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed while attempting to land, killing 38 people and injuring 29 survivors.
John Kirby, White House national security spokesperson, stated that early indications point to Russian air defenses as a potential cause. He declined to provide detailed evidence, citing an ongoing investigation. Similarly, Rashan Nabiyev, Azerbaijan’s minister of digital development and transportation, noted that expert analysis and survivor accounts suggest external impacts on the aircraft.
Survivors described hearing loud noises mid-flight. Flight attendant Aydan Rahimli recalled oxygen masks deploying after an initial bang, followed by another loud noise. Other passengers reported explosions, with one describing injuries consistent with external impact.
The plane’s crash occurred amid heightened tensions in the region. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia’s Rosaviatsia, confirmed that Ukrainian drones were targeting Grozny during the incident, prompting authorities to close the airspace. However, he avoided addressing claims that Russian defenses might have mistakenly hit the plane.
Azerbaijan Airlines attributed the crash to “physical and technical interference” without providing further details. The company has since suspended flights to several Russian cities, citing safety concerns.
The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which was struck by a Russian missile over eastern Ukraine, killing 298 people. If confirmed, this would mark another instance of civil aviation being caught in the crossfire of geopolitical conflict.
Investigations are underway, with Azerbaijani and international teams working to determine the exact cause of the crash.
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