Azerbaijan Airlines blames ‘external interference’ for fatal plane crash as Russia speculation grows
Azerbaijan Airlines announced that a flight from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Grozny, Russia, crashed “due to physical and technical external disturbances” and that it has suspended flights to eight other Russian airports.
According to reports, Russian anti-aircraft missiles may have been the cause of the disaster.
The airline posted on X that flights from Baku to eight Russian airports have been suspended starting December 28. Previously, flights between Baku and two other Russian airports had been suspended.
“This decision was taken by the State Civil Aviation Authority of Azerbaijan based on the results of the preliminary investigation into the crash of an Embraer 190 aircraft of Azerbaijan Airlines Baku-Grozny flight J2-8243 due to physical and technical external causes. crashed.
Russia plays down speculation about fatal Azerbaijan Airlines crash, report blames plane crash
On December 27, 2024, evidence collection was underway at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan. (Meiramgul Kussainova/Anadolu, Getty Images)
The post stated: “It is worth noting that on December 25, AZAL decided to suspend flights from Baku to Grozny and Makhachkala.”
The airline previously reported that there were 62 passengers and five crew members on board the flight. According to reports, only 29 people survived.
Preliminary findings from Azerbaijan’s investigation into the fatal incident suggest the plane was hit by a Russian anti-aircraft missile or shrapnel from such a missile, people familiar with the investigation said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Russia blamed for Azerbaijan Airlines plane veering hundreds of miles off course and crashing, killing dozens
On December 25, 2024, emergency rescue experts worked at the scene of the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the western Kazakh city of Aktau. (Issa Tarebayev/AFP via Getty Images)
Fox News Digital has contacted the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment.
A source familiar with the Azerbaijani investigation told Reuters that preliminary results suggested the plane was hit by a Russian Pantsir-S air defense system, with the source saying the electronic warfare system disabled communications as the plane approached Grozny.
Former state department official says Azerbaijan Airlines crash ‘very unclear’
On December 25, 2024, emergency rescue experts worked at the scene of the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the western Kazakh city of Aktau. (Issa Tarebayev/AFP via Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
According to Reuters, the source pointed out: “No one claims that this was intentional. However, considering the established facts, Baku hopes that Russia will admit that it shot down the Azerbaijani aircraft.”
