FinanceRussia accused of shooting down Azerbaijan passenger plane

Russia accused of shooting down Azerbaijan passenger plane

-

spot_img

[ad_1]

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Russian anti-aircraft fire may have caused a plane to crash in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, according to defence experts and officials in the region.

The Azerbaijan Airlines flight was en route from Azerbaijan’s capital Baku to Grozny in Chechnya, southern Russia, when it diverted and crash-landed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people. Twenty-nine passengers survived.

Most of those on the plane, an Embraer 190, were Azerbaijani citizens. There were also 16 Russians onboard and several citizens of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash map

In preliminary official reports on Wednesday, Russia said that heavy fog had forced the plane to divert from its planned landing in Grozny and seek to land in Kazakhstan, where it crashed after hitting a flock of birds.

On the same day, Azerbaijan’s president said he had been told the plane had been diverted due to poor weather conditions.

But that was contradicted by experts and officials in the region and in Ukraine, who cited evidence that Russian air defences were operating over Grozny at the time in response to a Ukrainian drone strike. They also cited images of what appeared to be shrapnel damage on the inside and tail of the wrecked plane.

Andriy Kovalenko, a Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council official, posted on Telegram: “Russia was supposed to close the airspace over Grozny, but did not do so . . . The plane was damaged by the Russians and sent to Kazakhstan, instead of making an emergency landing in Grozny and saving people’s lives.”

Senior Ukrainian officials confirmed to the Financial Times that Kyiv believed the plane was most probably hit by Russia air defence systems.

Osprey, an aviation security agency, said: “Follow-on video of the wreckage and the circumstances around the airspace security environment in south-west Russia indicate the possibility the aircraft was hit by some form of anti-aircraft fire.”

A senior official in the Caucasus region said evidence pointed to the plane being damaged by air defences over the Grozny area.

“If [Russian authorities are] going to [use] jamming systems and anti-aircraft systems, they should have closed [the airspace],” the official told the FT. “The most benign explanation [for why they did not do so] is incompetence.”

Cartography by Steven Bernard

[ad_2]

Source link

Latest news

How Gaming Helps Improve Problem-Solving Skills

Gaming, particularly in the realm of online games like singapore online slot games, has become a widely embraced form...

From Walkways to Fire Pits: Versatile Uses of Belgard in Portland

When it comes to outdoor design, few materials offer the same level of versatility and aesthetic appeal as Belgard...

Tamada: Bringing Passion and Tradition to Wedding Toasts

Weddings are much more than a union of two people; they are an unforgettable celebration of love, family, and...

EU Accounting Services: Ensuring Compliance and Efficiency for Your Business

In today’s globalized market, businesses operating within the European Union (EU) face increasingly complex financial regulations and demands for...
spot_img

The Role of Gender in Gaming: A Look at Representation

The gaming industry has evolved significantly over the years, with platforms ranked high on 슬롯사이트 순위 and mainstream gaming...

Fun Group Activities Focusing on Cultural Celebrations Online

In today's fast-paced digital world, social connections and celebrations can transcend physical boundaries. Online group activities have become a...

Must read

How Gaming Helps Improve Problem-Solving Skills

Gaming, particularly in the realm of online games like...

From Walkways to Fire Pits: Versatile Uses of Belgard in Portland

When it comes to outdoor design, few materials offer...
spot_img

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you