A tragic incident involving an Azerbaijani Airlines Embraer-190 occurred on December 25 while landing in Grozny, leading to the deaths of 38 of the 67 passengers. Russian air defenses were operational during this time, and President Putin discussed the situation with Azerbaijani President Aliyev, who noted “external physical interference.” Calls for an objective investigation have emerged, with preliminary findings suggesting possible involvement of a Russian missile. The EU has demanded a swift and independent inquiry into the matter.
Tragic Aviation Incident in Kazakhstan: What We Know
This past Saturday, December 28, the Kremlin revealed that Russian air defense systems were operational on Wednesday, December 25, coinciding with the tragic incident involving an Azerbaijani Airlines plane. The aircraft, an Embraer-190, was in the process of landing in Grozny when it crashed shortly after, resulting in the heartbreaking loss of 38 lives out of the 67 passengers on board.
The flight was connecting Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, a region in Russia’s Caucasus area. Following the incident, Russian President Vladimir Putin communicated with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, noting that the airliner had made multiple attempts to land at Grozny airport amidst attacks from Ukrainian drones on Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz. However, Putin did not clarify whether the plane had been affected by Russian air defenses. In response, Aliyev informed Putin that the aircraft experienced “external physical interference” while in Russian airspace.
Calls for Investigation and Accountability
Although the Kremlin did not take direct responsibility for the crash, President Putin expressed his condolences, stating he was sorry for the tragic occurrence within Russian airspace. His spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, declined to comment on statements made by the White House regarding a potential strike from Russian defenses.
Putin emphasized the importance of conducting an “objective and transparent” investigation into the crash. He mentioned that a commission formed by the Kazakh government would include experts from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Brazil, assuring that the investigation would be thorough and impartial.
As the investigation unfolds, military experts and various security sources have suggested the possibility of the plane being struck by a Russian air defense system. Preliminary findings from the Kazakh Ministry of Internal Affairs pointed to “external, physical, and technical interference” as a significant factor in the incident. Reports from pro-government Azerbaijani sources claimed that a Russian surface-to-air missile fired from a Pantsir-S air defense system near Grozny may have been responsible for the aircraft’s tragic fate.
In light of these events, the European Union has urged for a “swift and independent” investigation. Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy, called for immediate action, reflecting on the incident as a harsh reminder of the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014, which was attributed to a missile fired by pro-Russian forces in Ukraine.