Russian air defence systems downed an Azerbaijani plane that crashed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, killing 38 people, according to preliminary findings of Azerbaijan’s investigation. The Embraer passenger jet was flying from Azerbaijan’s capital Baku to Russia’s southern Chechnya region before diverting across the Caspian Sea.
The crash occurred after Russian air defence systems activated electronic warfare systems that may have caused the plane’s communications to fail. Preliminary results suggest the plane was struck by a Russian Pantsir-S air defence system, according to sources close to Azerbaijan’s investigation. The Azeri government is urging Russia to admit responsibility for the shooting down of the aircraft.
Canada and the US are also concerned about reports that Russian air defences may have struck the plane. Kazakhstan has yet to confirm or deny the thesis, but an investigation into the incident is ongoing. The Kremlin has declined to comment on the matter until the inquiry is completed.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/azerbaijan-airlines-flight-was-downed-by-russian-air-defence-system-four-sources-2024-12-26