In brief
On December 25, an Embraer jet crashed near Aktau airport, killing 38 and sparking a debate on external influences affecting aviation safety.
Azerbaijan Airlines has stated that initial inquiries into the December 25 crash of an Embraer jet in Kazakhstan attribute the disaster to "physical and technical external interference." The incident occurred just 3 kilometers from Aktau airport, where the aircraft went down at high speed, resulting in a catastrophic fire that claimed the lives of 38 individuals.The aircraft, which had intended to land at Grozny airport in Russia, was diverted to Kazakhstan amidst troubling circumstances. Eyewitnesses reported an explosion prior to the diversion across the Caspian Sea. In response to escalating tensions in Chechnya, Russian civil aviation authority leader Dmitry Yadrov remarked that a closed-skies protocol was instituted due to combat actions involving Ukrainian drones targeting civilian sites in Grozny.Yadrov indicated that dense fog further complicated the air traffic scenario near Grozny airport. Azerbaijan Airlines refrained from explicitly pointing fingers at Russia as a means of preventing heightened diplomatic tensions, although aviation professionals believe the jet may have sustained damage from missile shrapnel, which could have disrupted its hydraulic control systems. Flight attendant Zulfuqar Asadov, one of the 29 survivors of the incident, recounted the distressing moments before the crash, describing the plane being struck by an unknown external force. In the aftermath, Azerbaijan Airlines announced the suspension of flights to seven Russian cities, including a halt to flights to Grozny and Makhachkala, due to security concerns.El Al, Israel's national airline, has also ceased operations to Moscow in light of the recent events. Amidst these developments, Ukrainian officials have called for accountability regarding the crash, while the Kremlin maintained its stance of non-comment regarding the potential involvement of Russian air defense systems.Commemoration events have been held in Azerbaijan to honor the pilots, credited with managing the plane's landing attempt that may have minimized fatalities. Kazakh authorities are collaborating with Azerbaijan in the inquiry but have withheld many investigation details. Azerbaijan has expressed its preference for an international probe rather than an investigation led by former Soviet bloc nations.
