Did Russian Air Defenses Down Azerbaijani Jet? Investigations Underway After Fatal Crash

The crash of an Azerbaijani passenger jet in Kazakhstan has claimed dozens of lives. It has sparked ongoing speculation about a possible shootdown by Russian air defense systems.

Reuters reported on Thursday that a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that initial investigations point to signs of a Russian air defense attack on the Azerbaijani aircraft.

The official added that if this information is confirmed, it could highlight the recklessness of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The ill-fated flight departed from Baku (the capital of Azerbaijan) en route to Grozny (Russia). It went down near Aktau in western Kazakhstan, resulting in thirty-eight fatalities among the sixty-seven on board.

Initial reports suggested a possible bird strike. Reuters and Euronews cited sources within the Azerbaijani government raising the possibility of the aircraft being downed by Russian air defense systems.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the plane had recently altered its flight path to an area where Russian forces were actively intercepting Ukrainian drones. Aviation experts noted that damage to the tail section was consistent with missile strikes or air defense system activation, suggesting a potential case of misidentification by Russian forces.