Russian air defense systems mistakenly shot down an Azerbaijan Airlines flight over Kazakhstan, killing 38 people, according to preliminary findings reported by four sources close to Azerbaijan’s investigation.
The crash of Flight J2-8243 occurred near Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, following a diversion from its original route near southern Russia. The Embraer passenger jet, en route from Azerbaijan’s capital Baku to Grozny in Russia’s Chechnya region, deviated significantly from its flight path, crossing the Caspian Sea before the crash.
Russia’s aviation authorities had earlier suggested a bird strike as a possible cause, but Azerbaijani investigators believe the aircraft was struck by a Russian Pantsir-S air defense missile. The jet’s communication systems were reportedly disrupted by electronic warfare equipment near Grozny, according to one source.
“While there’s no claim of intentional targeting, Baku expects Russia to acknowledge its role in the incident,” said the source, who added that the evidence points to an unintentional strike. Three additional sources confirmed the investigation’s preliminary findings.
The Kremlin has refrained from commenting, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that it is premature to speculate before the investigation concludes. Russia’s Defense Ministry has not responded to requests for comment.
The United States and Canada expressed concern over the incident. A U.S. official suggested early evidence pointed to Russian air defenses, while Canada called for an open investigation and urged Russia to accept the findings.
Read: Azerbaijan Mourns Air Crash Victims as Speculations on Cause Intensify
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Qanat Bozymbaev declined to confirm or deny the reports, and local prosecutors stated that the investigation was ongoing.
Evidence and Survivor Accounts
Emergency responders reported that 29 of the 67 passengers onboard survived the crash. Survivors, many injured and shaken, described scenes of chaos as oxygen masks deployed mid-flight.
Photos of the wreckage revealed shrapnel damage to the aircraft’s tail, consistent with missile impact. Aviation security firm Osprey Flight Solutions pointed to the possibility of anti-aircraft fire, based on debris patterns and disruptions to the plane’s GPS over southern Russia, likely caused by electronic jamming systems.
Russian air defenses have been on high alert due to frequent Ukrainian drone attacks amidst the ongoing conflict. On the day of the crash, Russia claimed to have downed 59 Ukrainian drones, some in restricted airspace.
The investigation continues, with international pressure mounting for a transparent review of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Reporting by Abdul Jabbar | News Wire