U.S. National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby announced that the United States has offered assistance in the ongoing investigation into the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane in Kazakhstan. The tragedy claimed 38 lives and left 29 others injured.
U.S. Statement: Initial Indications Point to Russian Air Defense Systems
In a statement to Axios, Kirby indicated that early assessments suggested the plane might have been shot down by Russian air defense systems. The British aviation security company Osprey Flight Solutions and other experts have echoed similar evaluations.
Technical and Physical Issues Reported
Azerbaijan Airlines reported external physical and technical problems with the crashed aircraft. Additionally, a Kazakh official speaking to the Tanyug news agency stated that the plane’s oxygen tank exploded just minutes before the crash.
Survivor’s Shocking Account
According to Axios, one survivor described how the pilot attempted to land in Grozny twice but faced heavy fog. On the third attempt, an explosion occurred, and part of the plane broke apart.
Crash Location and Circumstances
The aircraft was en route from Baku to Grozny, located in Russia’s Chechen Republic, when it crashed near Kazakhstan’s city of Aktau. The Chechen region is known as an area where Russian air defense systems are actively deployed to counter Ukrainian drone strikes.
Expert Analyses and Russia’s Response
British aviation security firm Osprey Flight Solutions assessed that the aircraft was likely shot down by Russian air defense systems. A consultant from Sibilin also noted that shrapnel traces on the aircraft’s rear strongly resembled those caused by such systems.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, however, urged caution, stating that it was premature to draw conclusions before the investigation is complete.
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