Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down by Russian Pantsir missile: investigation findings

On the morning of December 25, 2024, 38 people were killed and 29 were injured when an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan. Russian investigators confirm that Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 was shot down by a Pantsir-S1 missile, writes ANews.

Photo: Azerbaijan Airlines © Anton Volynets | Dreamstime.com

The plane was flying from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia. It was diverted to Aktau, Kazakhstan, due to fog in Grozny. Kazakhstan's Emergency Situations Ministry said there were 69 people on board the plane: 64 passengers and five crew members. Twenty-nine people survived the crash, many of whom were hospitalized, including two children.

As part of the investigation into the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, Russian sources confirmed that the plane was shot down by a Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile system brought to Russia from Syria. According to reliable information that the sources have reviewed, Russian officials have established that electronic warfare systems were used against the Azerbaijani plane, which caused serious failures in its control systems.

On the subject: Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashes in Kazakhstan: dozens killed

Russian investigators have identified the person who fired the missile and the official who gave the order, according to the sources. However, it is unclear whether Moscow will publicly disclose their names.

Diplomatic sources confirm that Azerbaijan is categorically against the circumstances of the incident remaining secret. If Russia tries to evade responsibility, Baku intends to appeal to international courts to achieve justice for the victims and victims of the tragedy.

The latest findings are consistent with Azerbaijan's initial conclusions, which pointed to an external impact as the likely cause of the crash. Experts have determined that the damage is consistent with a missile strike, rather than internal technical failure.

In an earlier statement, Azerbaijani Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev noted that the results of the preliminary investigation ruled out the possibility of a technical failure or pilot error.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has clearly stated his country’s position:

“Today we can clearly state that the plane was shot down by Russia. This is a fact and no one can dispute it. We are not saying that it was done intentionally, but it happened. We have clearly expressed our demands to the Russian side. First, it is obliged to apologize to Azerbaijan. Second, it should admit its guilt. Third, those responsible must be punished and brought to criminal responsibility, and the Azerbaijani state, the injured passengers and crew members must be compensated. These are our conditions.”

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Confirmation that the plane was shot down by a Russian Pantsir-S1 missile system turns the spotlight on Moscow's reaction and its willingness to punish those responsible. Given Baku's firm position, any attempt to downplay Russia's role in the crash or to conceal the data will have legal consequences at the international level. Baku is demanding that those responsible be held accountable, but Moscow's next steps are not yet known.

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