WASHINGTON – Preliminary findings suggest that a Russian anti-aircraft system may have mistakenly struck an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane, which crashed in Kazakhstan on December 25, killing all 38 onboard, according to a US official.
Speaking anonymously, the official cited reports that Azerbaijani authorities believe a Russian surface-to-air missile was responsible for downing the jet en route from Baku to Grozny, Chechnya.
If confirmed, this incident could highlight what the US has repeatedly criticized as Russia’s recklessness since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The region has seen heightened tensions recently, with Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Chechnya and nearby Russian territories like Ingushetia and North Ossetia, possibly contributing to heightened alert levels.
The Kremlin has urged caution, warning against premature conclusions or “hypotheses” regarding the cause of the crash.
The tragic incident has drawn global attention as investigations continue into whether the crash was a tragic accident or an escalation of regional hostilities.