Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 was mistakenly downed by Russian air defenses amid ongoing drone attacks, killing 38 people. Putin has expressed condolences, while Ukraine and the U.S. call for a transparent investigation. Evidence of missile damage intensifies scrutiny, raising questions about Russian military protocols and airspace security.
BY PC Bureau
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday reportedly apologized to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev for a “tragic incident” involving the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane, reportedly caused by Russian air defenses responding to Ukrainian drone attacks, Reuters reported. The crash occurred on Wednesday near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after the plane was diverted from southern Russia. At least 38 people lost their lives.
According to preliminary findings from Azerbaijan’s investigation, Russian air defenses mistakenly shot down the Embraer EMBR3.SA jet, which had flown from Baku to Grozny before veering off course over the Caspian Sea. The Kremlin confirmed the apology, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and wishing a swift recovery for the injured.
The Kremlin also stated that the incident occurred during Ukrainian drone attacks on Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz, which prompted Russian air defenses to respond. Putin’s call to Aliyev came at the Russian president’s request, media reports said..
Azerbaijan’s presidential office noted that the plane experienced “external physical and technical interference” in Russian airspace, leading to a total loss of control and redirection to Aktau.
🇦🇿The pilots tried to keep the plane in the sky for a long time. They worked until the end to prevent an accident. The captain even tried to land the plane in vain..🥀🥀💔💔
#plane #Azerbaijan #Kazakhstan #Baku #AzerbajanAirlines #PlaneCrash #AZAL #KazakhstanPlaneCrash pic.twitter.com/pXRmIfdw8K— K .∀.∀ (@LVieEstBelle) December 27, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Russia’s handling of the incident, calling for transparent explanations and an end to “spreading disinformation.” He acknowledged the heroism of the plane’s crew and urged a thorough investigation to uncover the truth.
Photos and videos circulating online show significant damage to the plane’s fuselage, including punctures and dents consistent with a missile strike. US intelligence also indicated that Russia may have misidentified the aircraft as a drone, according to sources cited by NBC News. The White House echoed these concerns, suggesting that the plane could have been brought down by Russian forces.
The tragedy has raised tensions, with international calls for accountability and clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding the crash.
