Azerbaijani President Claims Crash Linked to Russian Ground Fire

The crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan, killing 38, may be linked to external damage from Russia, according to President Aliyev. Initial investigations suggest the aircraft was hit by ground fire, exacerbated by electronic warfare. Despite alternative theories from Russia, Aliyev calls for accountability and an apology. The White House indicated potential involvement of Russian air defense systems, but investigations are still in progress.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev indicated that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan was caused by external damage, allegedly from Russian territory. The Embraer 190 aircraft had been en route from Baku to Grozny when it crashed near Aktau, resulting in 38 fatalities. Although the investigation continues, initial findings suggest the plane was struck by ground fire, severely affecting its tail structure and causing it to lose control.

Aliyev stated, “The Azerbaijani civilian plane was damaged from outside on Russian territory… and practically lost control.” He attributed the plane’s lack of control to electronic warfare, echoing survivor accounts that noted explosions outside the aircraft before its descent.

He criticized Russia for proposing alternative explanations for the crash, including bird collisions and heavy fog, as well as unfounded claims linking Ukrainian drones to the incident. He urged Russia to acknowledge responsibility and extend an apology for the tragic event, expressing disappointment at the early attempts to downplay the situation.

In a conversation between Presidents Aliyev and Vladimir Putin, the latter offered condolences but did not admit fault. The Kremlin’s statement noted that air defense systems were engaged in repelling attacks by Ukrainian drones at the time of the crash.

The White House has suggested there may be indications that Russian air defense systems could have been involved in the incident but maintains that the investigation is ongoing, emphasizing the need for thorough fact-finding before drawing definitive conclusions.

The tragic crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which resulted in 38 deaths, is under investigation, with significant evidence pointing to external damage possibly caused by Russian military activity. President Aliyev is advocating for accountability from Russia, while the situation remains complicated by various claims and ongoing investigations. The call for transparency from both countries highlights the geopolitical tensions surrounding the incident.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com