Azerbaijan plane crash

Azerbaijan held nationwide mourning on Thursday after the tragic plane crash on Wednesday morning. So far, 38 people have lost their lives and 29 survivors were safely rescued by the authorities. Azerbaijan Airlines' Embraer 190 carrying 62 passengers and five crew members was heading towards Grozny, Russia from Baku, Azerbaijan when it crashed near the Caspian Sea.

Amidst the tragedy, the world is witnessing geo-political turmoil as countries like the USA and Ukraine hold the Russian anti-air defence system accountable for this misfortunate incident.

Why is Russia being accused of the plane crash?

The Wall Street Journal of the USA indicates that the Azerbaijan plane crash might be a “possible missile attack or the work of air defences”.

The Wall Street Journal report has quoted a UK-based independent aviation security firm, Osprey Flight Solutions. According to OFS, the flight “was likely shot down by a Russian military air defence system.”

Even the official crash investigation has stated that the holes seen in the plane’s tail section might indicate firing from Russian air defence systems.

Some reports have even indicated the possibility of drone strikes in two regions next to Chechnya, near Grozny.

Caliber, a pro-government Azerbaijani news website, has highlighted that a Russian Pantsyr-S air defence system was fired upon the airline while it was heading towards Grozny. Another Azerbaijani news channel, AnewZ, reached a similar conclusion.

To add fuel to the fire Andriy Kovalenko, a Ukrainian national security official has blamed Russia in an X post. A similar post has been made by Carl Bildt, Co-chairperson of the European Council on Foreign Relations.

What is Russia’s stand on these allegations?

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated in their defence that, "It would be wrong to put forward any hypotheses before the investigation's conclusions. We, of course, will not do this, and no one should do this. We need to wait until the investigation is completed."

Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, based on a preliminary investigation has mentioned that a bird strike may have caused the crash during an emergency landing.

Amidst the confusion, Kazakhstan’s parliamentary speaker, Maulen Ashimbayev has taken the side of Russia. He has mentioned that the rushed conclusions based on pictures of the plane are “unfounded and unethical”.

On the other hand, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has blamed the bad weather. However, he has addressed that it is too soon to jump to any conclusion as the investigation is still ongoing.

However, according to the sources Baku wants Russia to confess their action based on the established facts. With this, as time passes by hopefully the investigation will establish a clear picture of and actual causes behind the tragedy.

With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies