‘External Interference’ Cited in Azerbaijan Plane Crash Investigation
Preliminary investigations suggest that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight that crashed in Kazakhstan this week experienced physical "external interference," according to Azerbaijan’s transport minister and the airline.
MOSCOW: Preliminary investigations suggest that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight that crashed in Kazakhstan this week experienced physical "external interference," according to Azerbaijan’s transport minister and the airline. The incident, which resulted in 38 fatalities among the 67 passengers onboard, has fueled speculation that the plane was mistakenly struck by a Russian air defense system.
The flight, traveling from Baku to Grozny, veered off course across the Caspian Sea before crashing near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Survivors reported hearing explosions mid-air, and shrapnel damage on the wreckage indicates the possibility of an external attack.
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Transport Minister Rashad Nabiyev stated, “Based on expert opinions and eyewitness accounts, there was external interference. It is necessary to find out the weapon responsible.”
Reports from Azerbaijani officials and aviation experts suggest the plane might have been hit by a missile fired from a Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system. Survivors recall loud bangs and shrapnel tearing through the fuselage, causing chaos onboard.
Russia's aviation authorities confirmed that Grozny was under attack by Ukrainian drones at the time, but the Kremlin has not commented on whether its air defense systems were involved. Azerbaijan has called for a thorough investigation, with President Ilham Aliyev assuring that all causes of the crash will be examined. Azerbaijani lawmakers have urged Russia to apologize if found responsible.
The crash has heightened tensions in the region, with calls for accountability and clarity over the incident.
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