Crash Near Aktau Leaves 38 Dead
The Kremlin has announced it will withhold comments on the recent crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines jet until a full investigation has been concluded. The incident, which claimed 38 lives out of 67 passengers and crew, occurred near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after the plane deviated from its intended path.
Aircraft’s Unusual Flight Path and Safety Concerns
The Embraer 190 was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, but instead veered across the Caspian Sea, leading to the fatal crash. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the need for investigatory conclusions before any official statements could be made.
Allegations of Russian Air Defence Involvement
Reports from the pro-government Azerbaijani site Caliber suggest that the plane was potentially downed by a Russian Pantsir-S air defence missile. This accusation has not been officially confirmed, but has prompted Azerbaijan Airlines to suspend flights to seven Russian cities citing safety concerns.
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Calls for Accountability from Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani lawmaker Rasim Musabekov has demanded an apology from Russia, along with compensation and assurances to prevent future incidents. He criticized the lack of permission for the damaged plane to make an emergency landing at nearby Russian airports, highlighting a failure in aviation protocol by suggesting the plane was sent further into danger with its GPS disabled.
Speculation Over Cause of Crash
Speculation includes the possibility that the plane was inadvertently hit by Russian air defenses, active in the area due to reported Ukrainian drone activities. This theory, while not verified, is under consideration by aviation and military analysts as part of the ongoing investigation into this tragic event.
