According to Reuters, a report suggests a Russian air defense system downed an Azerbaijan Airlines flight in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, resulting in 38 fatalities.
The report, citing four Azerbaijani investigative sources, indicates the plane was hit by a Russian Pantsir-S system and its communications disrupted by electronic warfare near Grozny.
A source stated to Reuters that while no intentional act is claimed, Baku expects Russia to acknowledge the downing of the aircraft given the evidence.
Following the crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, officials from both countries and Kazakhstan have remained silent.
A Ukrainian national security official attributed the crash, which killed 38 on Christmas Day, to Russian air defense fire.
The Embraer 190 jet, carrying 62 passengers and five crew, was en route from Azerbaijan to Russia. It deviated significantly from its planned route before crashing into the Caspian Sea. Twenty-nine survived.
Reuters reported video footage showing the plane’s rapid descent, impact, and subsequent fire and smoke.
While the reason for the plane’s deviation remains unexplained, the incident followed attacks on southern Russia. Past drone activity has led to airport closures in the region, and the nearest Russian airport on the flight path was closed that Wednesday morning.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the crash’s cause is under investigation, urging against speculation before the investigation concludes, as reported by the Associated Press.
Kazakhstan’s parliamentary speaker, Maulen Ashimbayev, cautioned against drawing conclusions from plane debris images, calling allegations of air defense fire unfounded and “unethical.”
Azerbaijan has similarly declined comment, deferring to the ongoing investigation, according to the AP.
Earlier, Ukrainian national security official Andriy Kovalenko blamed a “Russian air-defense system” on X.
Kovalenko alleged that admitting responsibility is inconvenient, thus a cover-up is likely.
Osprey Flight Solutions also suggested the flight was “likely shot down by a Russian military air-defense system,” Wednesday night.
Osprey’s chief intelligence officer, Matt Borie, cited wreckage video and airspace security conditions in southwest Russia as suggesting antiaircraft fire.
Russia’s aviation watchdog attributed the incident to a possible bird strike.
The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Azerbaijan declared a national day of mourning on Thursday for the 38 victims. Flags were lowered, a noon moment of silence observed, and signals sounded from ships and trains, the AP reported.
“We will never forget the beloved people we lost in the crash of the ‘Embraer-190’ aircraft,” Azerbaijan Airlines stated. “This loss left a deep wound in the heart of an entire community. It reminds us to be more compassionate and connected to one another.”
“May the souls of those who tragically lost their lives rest in peace, and may their memory live on forever.”