Photo courtesy of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations Press Service
A member of Azerbaijan's Parliament, Rasim Musabekov, has held Russia responsible for the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Speaking to Turan.az, Musabekov asserted, «The plane was shot down in Russian airspace, over Grozny. This cannot be denied."
Musabekov accused Russian authorities of attempting to obscure the truth but urged them to act responsibly. He called for an apology, prosecution of those responsible, and compensation for the victims. «Failure to do so will inevitably affect bilateral relations,» he warned.
The MP compared the incident to Azerbaijan’s response in 2020 when a Russian military helicopter was accidentally downed during the 44-day war. Azerbaijan issued an apology, promised accountability, and paid compensation.
«If air defense systems are active, the airport should be closed, and warnings issued to prevent flights in the area. Those at fault must face consequences,» Musabekov added.
On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines plane en route from Baku to Grozny crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan. The flight carried 67 people, predominantly Azerbaijani nationals, alongside citizens of Kazakhstan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan. The crash resulted in 38 fatalities. December 26 was declared a national day of mourning in Azerbaijan.
Both black boxes were recovered intact and are now evidence in a criminal investigation under Kazakhstan’s penal code, which addresses breaches of transportation safety rules leading to multiple fatalities. Kazakhstan has excluded Russia and Azerbaijan from the forensic investigation, citing legal restrictions, though both countries will participate in the aviation safety inquiry.
No official cause for the crash has been confirmed. Early theories suggest possible bird strikes or an oxygen cylinder explosion. However, sources cited by Reuters and Euronews claim the plane was struck by Russian air defenses amid a Ukrainian drone attack on Grozny.
Kazakh Vice Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev noted that acknowledging a missile strike could strain ties with Russia, while denying it risks alienating Azerbaijan, with whom Kazakhstan shares strong bilateral relations.
The crash has already impacted international air travel. Israeli airline El Al has suspended flights from Tel Aviv to Moscow for a week. Kazakhstan’s Qazaq Air paused its Astana–Yekaterinburg route for a month, citing safety concerns. Azerbaijan Airlines, the airline involved in the crash, has suspended flights to several Russian cities, including Grozny, until the investigation concludes.
The situation highlights the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the tragedy and its implications for regional aviation safety and diplomatic relations.
