Baku, December 27: A preliminary investigation into the tragic crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432 has reportedly concluded that the aircraft was downed by Russian air defence systems, according to multiple media outlets. The crash, which occurred near Aktau in Kazakhstan, claimed 38 lives and left 29 others injured.
While Azerbaijan has not officially announced the findings, reports from Euronews, The Wall Street Journal, Anadolu Agency, and Reuters cited unnamed sources familiar with the probe, implicating a Russian Pantsir-S missile system in the disaster.
Incident Details
The Embraer 190 aircraft was en route from Baku to Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechnya region, when it encountered trouble over the Caspian Sea. Officials believe that its communications were disrupted by Russian electronic warfare systems before being struck by the missile.
The missile strike, however, is not believed to have been intentional, according to a source cited by Reuters. The source further noted that the plane was initially denied clearance for an emergency landing in Russia and redirected toward Kazakhstan.
The Kremlin has urged caution against speculating on the cause. “It would be wrong to make any hypotheses before the investigation’s conclusions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated.
Diverging Claims
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency initially attributed the crash to an emergency landing necessitated by a bird strike, a claim that aviation experts have challenged. Experts noted visible damage to the tail section of the aircraft as indicative of an external strike, lending weight to the missile theory.
Complicating the situation further, the crash occurred in a region of Russia’s North Caucasus recently targeted by Ukrainian drones. On the same day as the crash, Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported intercepting dozens of drones in the area.
Footage of the crash, widely shared on social media, showed the stricken aircraft descending steeply before hitting the ground and bursting into flames.
A National Day of Mourning
Azerbaijan declared a day of mourning on Thursday, with citizens observing a moment of silence to honor the victims. Flags were flown at half-mast, and traffic in the country came to a standstill as a mark of respect.
“This is a great tragedy that has become a tremendous sorrow for the Azerbaijani people,” said President Ilham Aliyev.
Kazakhstan, which is conducting a separate investigation into the crash, has refrained from speculating on the cause until its findings are released.
Regional Implications
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of civilian air traffic in conflict-sensitive zones and the potential for miscalculation in areas of heightened military activity.
As Azerbaijan continues its probe, the findings are likely to intensify scrutiny of Russia’s air defence operations and its coordination with neighboring countries. The international community awaits a full and transparent explanation for the tragic loss of life aboard Flight 8432.
