**US Says Russia Likely Downed Azerbaijani Plane**
The US National Security Council says there are “early indications” that a Russian air defense system shot down a civilian plane in Kazakhstan. The plane, an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer-190, crashed on December 25, killing 38 people.
This is not the first time Russia has been accused of shooting down a passenger plane. In 2014, a similar incident happened when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was hit by a Russian-made missile in Ukraine. All 298 people on board were killed.
**Evidence Points to Russian Involvement**
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says that evidence beyond just photos of the wreckage suggests Russia’s involvement. He said that the US government has offered help to Kazakh and Azerbaijani authorities to investigate the incident.
The plane was trying to land in Grozny, Russia, but was denied permission twice before crashing near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Aviation experts have looked at the wreckage and seen shrapnel damage similar to the MH17 incident.
**Russian Officials Deny Responsibility**
However, Russian officials initially said that bad weather and bird strikes caused the crash. But surviving crew members say this is not true and that the plane was hit by something from outside.
Azerbaijan Airlines has now suspended flights to several Russian cities due to safety concerns. The incident has sparked political reactions in Azerbaijan, with some calling for Moscow to apologize and end the war in Ukraine.