The Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, this week suffered physical “external interference,” according to preliminary findings from investigators. Azerbaijani officials, including Transport Minister Rashad Nabiyev, suggested the crash may have been caused by a Russian air defense missile, fueling speculation surrounding the tragedy.
The Embraer jet, operating as flight J2-8243, was en route from Baku to Grozny, Russia, on Wednesday. After attempting to land twice in Grozny under challenging conditions, the aircraft diverted across the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan, where it crashed, killing 38 of the 67 passengers and crew on board.
Eyewitness Accounts and Expert Opinions
Minister Nabiyev reported that survivors described hearing “three explosions” near Grozny. “Based on expert opinions and eyewitness testimonies, it can be concluded there was external interference,” Nabiyev said, emphasizing the need to identify the weapon involved.
Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to 10 Russian airports, citing preliminary findings of “physical and technical external interference” as the cause of the crash.
A Russian survivor, Subkhonkul Rakhimov, told RT that an explosion occurred outside the plane during its landing attempts in Grozny. He described shrapnel penetrating the fuselage and damaging life jackets. “I thought the plane was going to fall apart,” Rakhimov said.
Russia’s Response
Russian officials have not commented directly on claims that the crash was caused by their air defense systems. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia’s civil aviation agency, confirmed that Grozny was under attack by Ukrainian drones at the time of the incident. He stated that the pilot faced “complex conditions” and was redirected to Aktau after unsuccessful landing attempts in Grozny’s “thick fog.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to address the allegations, stating, “Until the investigation concludes, we will refrain from commenting.”
International Reactions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a “thorough investigation,” suggesting Russian involvement based on evidence from the crash site.
Azerbaijani lawmaker Rasim Musabekov urged Russia to take responsibility, apologize, and compensate victims’ families. He alleged that Grozny and other Russian airports refused the plane landing rights to “cover up a crime.”
Ongoing Investigation
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev have pledged a comprehensive investigation. Meanwhile, Western aviation experts and media outlets, including Azerbaijan’s pro-government website Caliber, pointed to shrapnel damage on the wreckage as evidence of a possible strike by a Pantsir-S1 air defense missile.
As investigations continue, calls for accountability and safety assurances grow louder amid heightened concerns about air travel in conflict-adjacent regions.
