Ukraine and Russia Investigate Suspicious Drone Attacks After Fatal Air Crash
Azerbaijani Lawmaker Suggests Russian Air-Defense Systems May Have Caused Passenger Jet Crash
An Azerbaijani lawmaker has raised the possibility that the recent crash of a passenger jet may have been caused by Russian air-defense systems on alert for Ukrainian drone attacks. The tragic incident occurred earlier this week as the Azerbaijan Airlines plane was en route from Baku to Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechnya region. The plane crashed near Aqtau, Kazakhstan, resulting in the loss of 38 passengers and crew.
Lawmaker Hikmat Babaoghlu shared his thoughts in an interview with RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service, stating that the theory of Russian air-defense systems inadvertently targeting the passenger jet is the closest explanation to the truth. He emphasized the significance of the observations and conclusions drawn so far, supporting the idea that the plane may have been shot down within Russian territory.
As the investigation into the crash intensifies, Kazakh experts have arrived at the crash site to examine the wreckage and the black box of the ill-fated aircraft. Speculation continues to swirl around the tragedy, with concerns raised about the possibility of the plane being hit by a Russian air-defense missile. Countries with victims on board, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan, are mourning their losses and tending to the injured.
Following the crash, the aviation industry in the Caucasus region has been thrown into uncertainty. Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to several Russian cities in light of the incident. Experts have pointed to evidence suggesting that the plane may have come under fire from Russian air-defense systems, potentially mistaking it for a target.
The United States has also expressed interest in the investigation, offering assistance to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan as they work to determine the cause of the crash. Reports indicate that the plane may have been hit by a Pantsir-S air-defense system, a Russian-designed weapon. However, Russian officials have refrained from making any comments until the investigation is complete.
As the world waits for answers, the families of the victims are left to mourn their loved ones. Azerbaijan has declared a national day of mourning, with burials already underway for the victims. The injured survivors are receiving medical care, with some in critical condition. Compensation has been promised to the families of those killed and injured in the tragic crash.
The investigation into the passenger jet crash is ongoing, with authorities from multiple countries working together to uncover the truth behind this devastating event.
