US Suggests Russia May Be Behind Downing of Azerbaijani Plane

The United States points to Russia as a possible party responsible for the downing of an Azerbaijani plane, escalating tensions in the region.

White House spokesman John Kirby reported that the US has observed “early indications” suggesting Russia’s potential involvement in the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane on December 25, which resulted in 38 fatalities.

Mr. Kirby did not provide additional details but informed reporters that the US had offered to assist with the investigation into the crash.

It is believed that the plane was targeted by Russian air defense systems as it attempted to land in Chechnya, leading to its diversion over the Caspian Sea towards Kazakhstan, where it eventually crashed.

The Kremlin has declined to provide any comments, but the director of Russia’s civil aviation agency described the situation in Chechnya as “very complicated” because of Ukrainian drone attacks on the area.

According to the Washington Post, Mr. Kirby mentioned that the evidence observed by the US extended beyond just the widely shared photos of the damaged plane.

Experts in aviation and other fields in Azerbaijan suggest that the plane’s GPS systems were disrupted due to electronic jamming, which was then followed by damage from shrapnel caused by Russian air-defense missile explosions.

While Azerbaijan has not directly accused Russia, the country’s transport minister stated that “external interference” affected the plane, resulting in damage both internally and externally as it attempted to land.

“Rashad Nabiyev stated that every survivor, without exception, reported hearing three blasts as the aircraft flew over Grozny.”

Mr. Nabiyev stated that investigators would now look into “the type of weapon, or more specifically, the kind of rocket that was used.”

Pro-government MP Rasim Musabekov was unequivocal: “The aircraft was downed over Russian territory, specifically in the skies above Grozny. It is impossible to deny this.”

He informed AFP news agency that the plane had sustained damage, prompting the pilot to request an emergency landing in Grozny. However, rather than being directed to nearby airports, it was “sent far away” across the Caspian Sea without GPS assistance.

Flight attendant Zulfuqar Asadov recounted the moments when the aircraft was struck by “some kind of external force” over Chechnya.

The impact caused panic inside, and we attempted to calm everyone down and get them seated. At that moment, another strike occurred, injuring my arm.

The pilots of the Embraer 190 plane are praised for saving 29 passengers by successfully landing part of the aircraft, even though they tragically lost their own lives in the crash.

The Kremlin has declined to address the growing reports suggesting that a Russian air defense system struck an Azerbaijan Airlines plane.

“Aviation authorities are currently investigating this incident, and we do not believe it is appropriate to offer any evaluations until the investigation reaches its conclusions,” stated spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Kazakh authorities have been providing medical care to the injured and collaborating closely with Azerbaijan on the investigation.

According to reports from Baku, Russia and Kazakhstan have suggested that a committee from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a regional organization largely influenced by Russia, should investigate the crash. However, Azerbaijan has called for an international investigation instead.