Plane Crash in Kazakhstan: Investigation Continues
A plane crash that killed 38 people has led to allegations of a Russian missile strike. The Azerbaijan Airlines plane was heading for Grozny, Russia on December 25 with 67 passengers.
The plane had been denied permission for an emergency landing in Grozny due to a local alert over Ukrainian drones. It then diverted to Aktau in Kazakhstan where it crashed. Two survivors have spoken out about the crash.
One passenger said he heard a loud bang just before the plane approached Grozny. He thought it was going to fall apart. The crash has raised questions about whether the plane was hit by a Russian surface-to-air missile.
The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence said the aircraft had been hit by a Russian air defense system on Russian terrain. Russia initially blamed the crash on birds hitting the plane, but this theory is now being questioned.
Investigation Continues
Independent media outlets have analyzed footage and found damage consistent with a surface-to-air missile impact. Shrapnel from the explosion reportedly struck passengers and cabin crew inside the plane.
Russian officials say they need to wait for the investigation results before speculating about the cause of the crash. However, members of Azerbaijan’s parliament are calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
“This is impossible to deny,” said a member of Azerbaijan’s parliament. “Those responsible must face justice and pay compensation to the victims.”