LAST LANDING

On December 25, an Embraer 190 plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) was involved in an incident near the Kazakh city of Aktau. The aircraft, which was travelling from Baku to Grozny, encountered difficulties and had to make an emergency landing. The aircraft was carrying 67 passengers, including 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 16 from Russia, 6 from Kazakhstan, and 3 from Kyrgyzstan, along with five crew members. The accident resulted in the deaths of 38 passengers, while 29 survived, including three children.

President Ilham Aliyev, who had departed for St. Petersburg on the morning of December 25 to attend the informal CIS Heads of State Summit, was informed about the plane crash while the aircraft was still in Russian airspace. This prompted him to issue instructions for an immediate return.

Upon arriving at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, President Ilham Aliyev convened a meeting to address the accident. During the meeting, he stated: 

"This morning, while en route from Baku to St. Petersburg to attend the CIS summit, I was informed about this accident—this tragedy. I immediately issued instructions, and the aircraft returned to Baku. While still in the air, I provided instructions, spoke with the Prime Minister, and ordered the establishment of a commission under his leadership. Furthermore, a delegation of Azerbaijani representatives was dispatched to Aktau, the site of the accident, and additional instructions were given to ensure the prompt deployment of Azerbaijani medical teams to the scene.

"The commission has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation, determining the causes, and presenting a detailed report to me and the Azerbaijani public. Based on the information I have received, the AZAL aircraft on the Baku-Grozny route diverted its course due to deteriorating weather conditions and headed toward Aktau airport, where the accident occurred during landing. Footage of the incident is already circulating in the media and on social networks. However, the root causes of the accident are still unclear. While several theories have been suggested, it is too early to discuss them. A thorough investigation is essential to establish the cause. 

"The General Prosecutor's Office has launched a criminal case, and the Azerbaijani public will be kept informed about both the findings of the commission and the progress of the criminal investigation."

According to the reliable government sources cited by Caliber.az, the initial investigation findings suggest that the AZAL passenger aircraft was shot down by the Russian air defence system. The preliminary investigation revealed that the AZAL aircraft en route from Baku to Grozny was targeted by the Russian air defence system Pantsir-S as it approached Grozny. Additionally, Russia's deployment of electronic warfare systems incapacitated the communication systems within the Azerbaijani aircraft. As a result, the aircraft disappeared from radar within Russian airspace, reappearing only near the Caspian Sea.

Incidentally, on the same day, Russian air defence forces were reportedly attempting to intercept Ukrainian UAVs over Chechnya. Khamzat Kadyrov, head of the Security Council of the Chechen Republic, confirmed a drone attack on Grozny on the morning of December 25, but stated there were no casualties or damage reported. In light of these events, it was Russia's responsibility to close its airspace to civilian aircraft, which it did not do. The absence of a no-fly zone over Chechnya has led to serious questions.

Reports indicate that Grozny airport denied permission for the plane to land. Additionally, requests for landing at the airports in Makhachkala and Mineralnye Vody were also denied. The crew, experiencing disorientation due to air defence fire and electronic warfare systems, was redirected to Aktau. One could hypothesize that this recommendation was intended to orchestrate the plane's crash into the Caspian Sea, ensuring the demise of all witnesses and the subsequent sinking of the aircraft. However, it should be underscored that this remains speculative.

It is possible that alternative narratives circulating in Russian media are deliberate attempts to mislead public perception. Video footage from inside the cabin reveals that two passengers sustained shrapnel injuries. All accounts, including those mentioning explosions heard externally, point toward air defence involvement.

According to the portal, for those investigating on behalf of Azerbaijan, the situation appears unequivocal. No one claims that actions were taken intentionally. However, given the established facts, Baku anticipates that Russia will acknowledge responsibility for downing the Azerbaijani aircraft, present a formal apology to the Azerbaijani nation, and conduct a thorough investigation leading to accountability for those responsible.

The Chechen authorities have announced their intention to provide financial and other forms of assistance to all families affected by the crash of the hit AZAL aircraft, as instructed by Ramzan Kadyrov. However, an official from the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration has stated that Azerbaijan does not require nor will accept such assistance. "Azerbaijan does not require any aid. Neither the state nor its citizens will accept such assistance. We are committed to providing all necessary support to our citizens. Azerbaijan demands recognition of the incident, an apology, and appropriate compensation," said a source within the Presidential Administration.

Rasim Musabeyov, a member of Parliament and a member of the Committee on International and Interparliamentary Relations, stated in his interview with Turan Agency that Russia should apologize for shooting down an AZAL civilian aircraft with an air defence missile. He noted that the incident occurred over Russian territory, in the skies above Grozny. Denial is not a viable option in this case.

Musabeyov further stated that certain individuals in Russia have chosen to engage in media actions aimed at obscuring accountability, rather than responding appropriately and offering an apology. He underscored the necessity of accountability and the importance of compensation for losses incurred. If this does not occur, relations will inevitably deteriorate," stated the parliamentarian.

Alongside Musabeyov, numerous users on Azerbaijani social media have urged Russia to take responsibility and offer an apology for the AZAL plane crash and resulting casualties.

On December 27, Azerbaijani Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev stated that evidence from the wreckage and witness testimonies suggests external interference in the operation of the AZAL plane that crashed near Aktau. In the aftermath of the incident, President Ilham Aliyev ordered the immediate formation of a special commission to investigate the matter. Commission members travelled to Aktau to conduct an in-depth examination of the circumstances surrounding the accident and the conditions of the injured. The commission inspected the crash site and met with injured citizens from Azerbaijan and other nations.

The minister noted that both injured passengers and surviving flight attendants reported hearing explosions over Grozny. "One flight attendant sustained an arm injury. Additionally, social media footage shows a woman with injuries to her arm and leg. Damage was observed on one wing of the aircraft with shrapnel marks recorded inside. Injured Russian citizens also reported hearing three explosions over Grozny. According to them, these sounds originated externally before something struck the plane."

According to Nabiyev, post-accident reports included speculation about a collision with birds. "However, preliminary expert conclusions indicate external interference is present. This finding is corroborated by on-site observations of aircraft wreckage and eyewitness accounts. The type of weapon used in this interference will be determined through investigation," he stated.

The minister further stated that analysis of the plane's flight path indicates a deviation from its original route, leading to Aktau via Makhachkala. "Additionally, our team will thoroughly investigate the reasons behind the pilot's decision to opt for an emergency landing. The matter of the GPS being disabled on board is also under scrutiny."

Rashad Nabiyev highlighted the commendation from local and international experts for the crew's actions, which they described as heroic, noting that their landing approach saved many passengers on board. The minister also emphasized that Azerbaijan has engaged international consultants in the investigation process and has already established contact with them. Two specialists from Embraer are currently on-site working with investigators, and experts from Brazil will also join the investigation.

He underscored that Kazakh officials referenced a theory about an explosion involving an oxygen cylinder based on dispatcher's comments in Rostov. "We consider verifying this information to be of the utmost importance, as it originates from an interested party. However, evidence such as the sounds of explosions emanating from outside directly contradicts this theory."

Samir Rzayev, President of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, noted that the crash near Aktau on December 25 has become a historic tragedy for both the Azerbaijani people and AZAL. He went on to express his gratitude for the crew members' heroism, stating that over 20 passengers were successfully evacuated from the crashed aircraft. Tragically, two experienced pilots and one flight attendant lost their lives in this incident; their bravery will always be remembered," he stated.

Rzayev noted that investigations into the causes of the crash are ongoing. The "black box" has been successfully retrieved, and it is currently being examined in accordance with international aviation conventions. "In October, this aircraft underwent a comprehensive overhaul and inspection by seasoned pilots with over 15,000 flight hours logged. Nevertheless, investigations are examining crash causes," he added.

In accordance with a decision by AZAL's Supervisory Board, each injured passenger aboard the Embraer 190 aircraft on flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny that crashed on December 25 will receive compensation amounting to ₼20,000; families of each deceased individual will receive ₼40,000. In addition, all passengers will receive appropriate insurance payments as outlined in Azerbaijani legislation and best international practices.

Azerbaijani Health Minister Teymur Musayev informed journalists that as of December 27th, those injured in the December 25 plane crash remain in stable condition.

He stated that following President Ilham Aliyev's directive and under the supervision of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, expanded medical teams were promptly sent to assist Azerbaijani citizens and other victims affected by the crash in Kazakhstan. The medical team has since returned to Baku, and 14 injured Azerbaijani citizens were recently brought home from Kazakhstan and admitted to the Yeni Klinika medical facility in Baku. Preliminary examination results indicate that the patients' conditions are stable and satisfactory, and most of them are expected to be discharged in the near future.

The Minister confirmed that the necessary measures are being executed for returning and burying the remains of those who perished in this plane crash back in Azerbaijan. Following the conclusion of legal and forensic investigations in Kazakhstan, the remains will be repatriated to Azerbaijan for proper burial.

AZAL announced on December 27 that it would suspend flights from Baku to several Russian cities. This decision was made by the State Civil Aviation Agency of Azerbaijan, considering the preliminary investigation results indicating external physical and technical interference caused by circumstances surrounding flight J2-8243 between Baku and Grozny posed safety risks.

As of December 28, AZAL will suspend operations to Mineralniye Vody, Sochi, Volgograd, Ufa, Samara, Saratov, Nizhny Novgorod, and Vladikavkaz airports. This suspension will remain in effect until the completion of final investigations. A day earlier, AZAL had also suspended flights from Baku to Grozny and Makhachkala due to safety concerns affecting other airlines flying into these destinations.

As of December 27, Russia has yet to claim accountability for the downing of the Azerbaijani passenger plane.