**Russian Air Defense System May Have Downed Azerbaijani Airliner**
A passenger plane crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan on December 25, killing 38 people. The Embraer E190AR aircraft was carrying 67 people, with many more injured.
**Investigation Suggests Missile Strike**
The initial photos and videos from the crash site showed no signs of a bird strike, which was initially suspected. Instead, experts say that the plane’s tail section shows clear signs of missile damage.
**Russian Air Defense System in Question**
On the day of the crash, Russian air defenses were engaged in repelling a drone attack over Grozny. The Pantsir missile system may have been operating automatically, mistaking the large airliner for a drone or light aircraft.
**Automated Mode Raises Concerns**
The Pantsir system has an automated mode that can engage targets without human input. This feature is said to be more effective than human operators, but it can also lead to mistakes like this one.
**Similar Incident in Iran**
A similar incident occurred in January 2020 when a Ukrainian airline‘s Boeing 737 was downed over Tehran by a Russian “Tor” system operating automatically.
**Report Suggests Conspiracy**
According to the report, Russian military officials may have intentionally given permission to shoot down the passenger airliner. The plane’s crew received no warning or instructions from air traffic controllers as it flew across the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan.
**Pilots’ Efforts Were Praised**
Despite the damage caused by the missile strike, the pilots managed to keep the plane in the air for over 400 km, saving 32 lives. The passengers were eventually taken to Aktobe where they received medical treatment.
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