Azerbaijan on Thursday mourned 38 lives lost in Wednesday’s tragic plane crash involving an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190. The flight from Baku to Grozny was diverted because of adverse weather and crashed while attempting an emergency landing in Aktau, Kazakhstan, with 29 survivors injured. As investigations unfold, theories surrounding Russian air defense involvement have gained traction.
Initial reports had indicated that the diversion was due to a bird strike. However, a U.S. official claimed that a Russian anti-aircraft system could have brought down the plane, stating evidence of possible missile shrapnel on the wreckage. This is consistent with analysts who have noted that damage to the tail end of the plane is missile fragment-like. Osprey Flight Solutions, a UK-based aviation security firm, also said that the flight likely came under attack from Russian military air defense systems.
Videos appearing online showed the plane crashing sharply before erupting in flames near Aktau. Eyewitnesses reported extensive damage to the fuselage, especially in the tail section. Independent military experts say the destruction is similar to cases involving surface-to-air missiles, drawing parallels to the infamous Malaysia Airlines MH17 downing in 2014.
Despite these claims, Kazakh and Azerbaijani officials declined to confirm any of these theories. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called for patience until investigators conclude their probe. Likewise, Kazakhstan’s parliamentary speaker urged against baseless assumptions, describing speculation about missile strikes as premature and “unethical.”
The crash reignites concerns over air safety in conflict zones, especially as tensions persist between Russia and Ukraine. Aviation security experts, like Osprey CEO Andrew Nicholson, emphasized the dangers of air defense operations, urging carriers to prioritize passenger safety over operational risks.
The flag was flown at half-mast all over Azerbaijan Thursday as the country came together in silence to mourn. Investigations are on, but the incident makes one feel the vulnerability of aerial security amid geopolitical tensions.
