A preliminary investigation has confirmed that a Russian missile caused the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday. The incident resulted in the deaths of 38 passengers after the flight, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432, crashed during an attempted emergency landing.
Exclusive sources from the Azerbaijani government confirmed to Euronews on Thursday that a Russian surface-to-air missile triggered the crash. According to the sources, the missile was fired at Flight 8432 during drone activity above Grozny, and shrapnel from the explosion struck both passengers and crew when the missile detonated near the aircraft.
The government sources stated that the damaged aircraft was not permitted to land at any Russian airport, despite the pilot’s request for an emergency landing. Instead, the aircraft was ordered to continue its flight over the Caspian Sea toward Aktau in Kazakhstan. Additionally, it was reported that the plane’s GPS navigation systems were disrupted throughout its flight over the sea.
As a result of the crash, 38 of the 67 people on board were killed, including the pilot, co-pilot, and a flight attendant, who were seated in the front of the plane.
