A tragic plane crash in Kazakhstan has resulted in the deaths of at least 38 people, including the flight crew, prompting an international investigation and sparking a dispute over the cause. The aircraft, carrying 67 individuals, reportedly included passengers from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Initial reports from Kazakhstan confirmed the significant loss of life following the incident. A survivor recounted a sudden "loud bang" and the plane's "unnatural" behavior just before the crash, indicating a potentially sudden and catastrophic event.
Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the cause of the crash. A U.S. official initially suggested a Russian anti-aircraft system might be responsible. Reuters corroborated this with unnamed sources in Azerbaijan, further stating the plane was shot down by Russian air defenses.
Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency offered a different explanation, stating the passenger jet was diverted from its original destination in Grozny, Chechnya, due to the presence of Ukrainian drones and dense fog. They alleged Ukrainian drones were conducting "terrorist attacks" nearby, forcing the rerouting. However, Russia's explanation that the plane had attempted two unsuccessful landings in Grozny is contrary to other accounts.
Ukraine has strongly refuted Russia's explanation. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Moscow of lying about the crash's cause and deliberately diverting the damaged jet to conceal evidence of a crime, suggesting the plane was damaged prior to being diverted. This accusation was backed by images and video of the damaged aircraft.
Adding to the complexity, the head of Ukraine's Centre for Countering Disinformation has claimed a Russian air defense system downed the plane. Images of the wreckage show unusual perforations, suggestive of shrapnel or debris damage, further fueling questions regarding the actual cause of the crash.
Expert analysis suggests that Russia's air defense systems were active in the vicinity at the time of the crash, further complicating matters. While some analysts believe the incident could be unintentional, the involvement of Russia’s air defence systems is considered a prominent theory. Conversely, Russia had previously cited heavy fog and a bird strike as potential contributing factors.
In response to the incident, Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to seven Russian cities as safety concerns linger. The airline also announced compensation for victims and their families. The investigation into this aviation disaster is ongoing.
