#baku to grozny

[tomorrowusa]

It's probably not a good idea to fly anywhere near trigger-happy Russians. We remember how in 2014 pro-Putin Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 killing 298 people.

This time an Azerbaijani airliner crashed after apparently being hit by Russian air defense fire.

An Azerbaijani lawmaker said there is a "very strong" possibility that the crash of a passenger jet earlier this week was caused by Russian air-defense systems on alert for Ukrainian drone attacks. Speculation has mounted that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which was headed from Baku to Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechnya region, may have been hit by an air-defense missile before crossing the Caspian Sea and crashing near Aqtau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 passengers and crew. Lawmaker Hikmat Babaoghlu told RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service in an interview on December 27 that such an explanation is most likely "closest to the truth."

The Embraer E190 was on a regular flight from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Grozny in Russia's Chechnya region.

Evidence points to a Pantsir-S self-propelled antiaircraft system built and operated by Russia.

White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters on December 27 that the United States has seen signs suggesting that the jet could have been hit by Russian air defense systems. U.S. experts "have seen some early indications that would certainly point to the possibility that this jet was brought down by Russian air defense systems," he said. Kirby added that Washington has “offered our assistance…should they need it" to the ongoing investigation being conducted by Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Evidence, yet to be corroborated by authorities, includes footage from inside the plane before the crash, images of the hole-pocked tail section after the crash, a survivor's comments, and accounts indicating there was a suspected drone attack around the time the plane apparently tried to land in Grozny. Reuters quoted an Azerbaijani source familiar with the investigation as saying results indicated the plane was hit by a Pantsir-S air-defense system, a self-propelled antiaircraft gun and missile system designed by Russia.

Air travel site AeroXplorer reported that the plane was denied permission by Russia to land on its territory after Russians damaged the plane.

The aircraft was not allowed to land at Russian airports despite the pilots' requests for an emergency landing and was told to fly across the Caspian Sea to Aktau in Kazakhstan. The aircraft's signals were jammed on the way to Aktau. The aircraft reappeared on radar minutes before impact.

So the damaged plane had to fly across the Caspian Sea to attempt to land at Aqtau in neighboring Kazakhstan. The plane crashed before reaching the Aqtau airport.

It's a miracle that 29 people survived – no thanks to Russia which wouldn't let the damaged plane land on its territory. Because the crash took place in Kazakhstan rather than in Putin's Russia, there's less chance of a coverup in the investigation.

[head-post]

Azerbaijan passenger plane crashes in Kazakhstan, killing dozens

A passenger plane flying from Baku to Grozny crashed in Aktau in western Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Azerbaijani media reported on Wednesday.

The Embraer 190 aircraft gave a distress call due to a collision with birds, which led to a malfunction in the steering. This caused the craft to drastically reduce its speed.

Local residents witnessed the tragedy and filmed the moment the plane crashed and collapsed. The published video shows that during the emergency landing, the board caught fire and collapsed into pieces.

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said its staff had put out the fire that broke out when the plane crashed. The ministry also added:

“According to preliminary information, 28 survivors, including two children, have been hospitalised.”

A total of 62 passengers and five crew members were on board, according to official data. According to the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 16 citizens of Russia, six citizens of Kazakhstan and three citizens of Kyrgyzstan were on board.

Embraer 190 (in IATA classification – E-90) is a civilian medium-range passenger aircraft for medium-range transportations for 3-4 thousand kilometres, created in Brazil. It belongs to the newest family of aircraft. The first flight took place on March 12, 2004. In the market, this aircraft competes with Boeing 717-200, Boeing 737-600 and Airbus A318, Airbus A319.

Read more HERE

[mariacallous]

The Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane that crashed in western Kazakhstan while on its way from Baku to Grozny on Wednesday went down as a result of a Russian anti-aircraft missile, Euronews reported on Thursday, citing government sources. According to the sources, Russian air defense forces fired a surface-to-air missile at the AZAL flight amid increased drone activity in Grozny. The missile reportedly exploded near the plane, damaging its fuselage.

Euronews sources also said the damaged plane was denied permission to land at Russian airports, despite the pilots requesting an emergency landing. Subhonkul Rahimov, a passenger on the Baku-Grozny flight who was injured in the crash, told Russian state media that the Azerbaijan Airlines crew attempted to land in Grozny three times. The crew was instructed to fly over the Caspian Sea toward Aktau in western Kazakhstan, according to Euronews. The plane’s GPS navigation systems were reportedly jammed throughout the flight over the sea.

The Azerbaijani outlet Caliber.Az reported, citing “reliable government sources,” that the plane was targeted by a Russian Pantsir-S air defense system as it approached Grozny. According to the outlet, Russian electronic warfare systems “completely paralyzed the communication systems” of the Azerbaijani aircraft, causing it to disappear from radar.

The British aviation security company Osprey Flight Solutions warned its clients that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was “likely shot down by a Russian military air-defense system,” the AP reported.

Additionally, Reuters reported that the flight “was downed by a Russian air defence system,” citing four sources in Azerbaijan with knowledge of the government’s investigation.

The Azerbaijani, Russian, and Kazakh governments have not officially commented on the reports that the AZAL plane was downed by Russian air defenses. On December 25, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that the flight had altered its course “due to worsening weather conditions” and that the crash occurred “during landing” in Kazakhstan. “The causes of the crash are unknown to us. There are various theories, but I believe it’s too early to discuss them. The matter must be thoroughly investigated,” Aliyev said.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would refrain from “building any hypotheses” until the investigation is complete. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s Senate Chairman Maulen Ashimbayev dismissed as "speculative" any attempts to "draw conclusions from photos, suggesting these are the result of certain actions, and so on."

Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, who is leading the government’s commission investigating the crash, told Tengrinews that authorities are currently unable to confirm or dismiss any theories due to the ongoing investigation. During a subsequent briefing in Aktau, he reiterated that it is “impossible to rule out any theory.” Bozumbayev added that Kazakhstan does not have an official version of the events, and neither Russia nor Azerbaijan has provided one.

Shortly after the crash, videos emerged showing fragments of the plane’s tail section, which appeared to have damage consistent with that caused by anti-aircraft missile fragments.

The crash claimed the lives of citizens from three countries: Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan’s Health Ministry released a list of 25 victims, including passengers and crew members aged 19 to 64. According to the Azerbaijani outlet 1news, the list only included Azerbaijani citizens. Kazakhstan’s Emergency Situations Ministry reported that six Kazakhstani nationals were among the dead, while Kazakhstani Transport Minister Marat Karabayev confirmed that seven Russians were also killed. All three Kyrgyz citizens aboard survived.

As of 3:45 p.m. Moscow time on December 26, the bodies of 10 victims had been identified: four Azerbaijanis, three Russians, and three Kazakhs, the Kazakhstani Emergency Situations Ministry told Russian state media.

On the morning of December 26, an emergency services plane transported nine Russian survivors from Aktau to Moscow. Azerbaijani citizens who were injured in the crash were being prepared for transport to Baku later that day.

The Azerbaijani authorities declared December 26 a day of mourning. A minute of silence was observed at Baku Airport, where the Azerbaijan Airlines flight had begun, and a memorial stand was set up to honor the victims. In Moscow, flowers were placed outside the Azerbaijani Embassy. The Chechen authorities pledged to assist the families of those killed and injured in the crash.

[affairsmastery]

A tragic crash unfolded as an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 passenger plane, carrying 62 passengers and five crew, plunged near Aktau, Kazakhstan. En route from Baku to Grozny, heavy fog forced the flight to reroute, leading to an emergency landing 3 km from Aktau.

Harrowing footage showed the aircraft ablaze, with plumes of smoke and injured passengers escaping from the wreckage. While 32 survived, the fate of others remains uncertain. Emergency services battled flames at the crash site as Kazakh authorities launched an investigation into potential causes, including technical failure. The aviation world awaits answers to this devastating incident.

[darkmaga-returns]

Azerbaijan Airlines has listed “physical and technical external interference” as the preliminary cause of the crash involving an Embraer 190, in which 38 people were killed and 29 people miraculously survived.

The head of Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency said that the plane, which was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan to Grozny, Russia had to be diverted away from its destination, because the airport was temporarily closed due to Ukrainian drone attacks.

Media in the West have been quick to claim that the plane was damaged by shrapnel from Russian air defense, and while they mention “drone activity,” little is questioned why Kiev would be carrying out drone attacks deep inside southern Russia, with the help of the U.S., and the dangers it could pose to the surrounding area.

Investigations are still ongoing, and are being carried out by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Russia.

SOURCE LINKS:

27 Dec. 2024 - FlightRadar24 Recap of ADS-B data from Azerbaijan Airlines flight #J28243

27 Dec. 2024 - Azerbaijan airlines names ‘likely’ cause of plane crash

27 Dec. 2024 - Russian officials reveal why doomed Grozny-bound plane diverted to Kazakhstan

27 Dec. 2024 - Azerbaijani and U.S. officials suggest plane that crashed may have been hit by weapons fire

27 Dec. 2024 - As more details over Azerbaijan Airlines crash emerge, pilots and crew are hailed as heroes

26 Dec. 2024 - EuroNews: Preliminary investigation confirms Russian missile caused Azerbaijan Airlines crash

26 Dec. 2024 - AP: Aviation experts say Russia’s air defense fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns

24 July 2024 - MH17 probe didn’t look for causes of tragedy, opted to impulsively blame Russia – Malaysian PM

27 Dec. 2024 - US to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, pushing to get aid out before Biden leaves office

[thoughtlessarse]

After going through a dormant phase, Azerbaijani-Russian rancor is bubbling up again over the accidental Russian shoot-down of a civilian Azerbaijani jetliner. This round of rhetorical sparring is featuring personal attacks that may well make it harder for either side to back down, thus increasing the risk of a breakdown in bilateral relations. The spat revived following the release of preliminary findings by Kazakhstani investigators into the December 25 crash, in which 38 of the 67 people aboard died. Without specifically blaming Russia, the report indicated that the plane was hit by “external” metal objects in the sky over Grozny, its intended destination, causing it to lose control over operating systems. The report generally upheld the Azerbaijani version of events, in which the plan was critically damaged by Russian anti-aircraft fire. Russia, meanwhile, has steadfastly refused an Azerbaijani demand to take responsibility and pay compensation to victims and their families. Helping to stoke tension was Azerbaijan’s February 5 move to shutter the Baku offices of Rossotrudnichestvo, an entity used by Russia to exert soft power. The move was widely interpreted as a signal of Azerbaijani displeasure over Russia’s continuing reluctance to own the accident. Azerbaijan is additionally planning to file a lawsuit in an international court to seek justice over the crash. Before the crash, the Azerbaijani-Russian relationship seemed rock solid, with the self-proclaimed strategic partners benefiting from robust north-south trade. The two sides also tightened security cooperation in October, ostensibly to counter Western influence in the region. But in the seven weeks since the crash, ties have frayed with startling speed.

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[cyberbenb]

Azerbaijan plans international legal action against Russia over AZAL plane crash

According to Azerbaijan's state news agency APA, Azerbaijan is "conducting preparatory work" to lodge a lawsuit in an international court against Russia following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) passenger jet near the Kazakh city of Aktau. The report, released on Thursday, February 6, stated that a body of evidence is being compiled with facts and proofs being gathered.

Azerbaijani authorities expressed outrage that Russian officials, even after the release of a preliminary report by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport on the crash, continue to "biasedly comment" on the incident. Russian officials, experts, and media insist on denying any involvement and seek to blame the crew, Azerbaijan claims. The authorities equate Russia's strategy to handling the crash in a way reminiscent of the 2014 downing of a Malaysian Boeing 777 over Donbass by a Russian "Buk" missile system.

APA writes that Azerbaijani authorities have identified individuals who allegedly ordered and executed shots at the AZAL aircraft, along with details of the weaponry used. Baku is deeply regretful of Moscow's alleged attempts to "redirect the investigation and blame the crew."

"Azerbaijan has clearly outlined its conditions and demands, which have been voiced at the highest levels," states the report. Nevertheless, the publication notes that "doors for dialogue with Russia remain open": "Moscow needs to openly admit its guilt and accept responsibility. Otherwise, Baku is ready to take further steps."

The AZAL Plane Crash. The AZAL Embraer 190 passenger jet, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed on the morning of December 25, 2024, near Aktau in western Kazakhstan. Aboard were 67 people, including five crew members, resulting in 38 fatalities and 29 survivors.

Azerbaijan Airlines and the Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev, reported on December 27 that the liner was subjected to "external influence." Surviving flight attendants recounted that there were three impacts on the aircraft when it was over Grozny. The U.S. stated it sees "some signs" suggesting the plane may have been hit by a Russian air defense system.

In a phone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized for the "tragic incident that occurred in Russian airspace." He affirmed that when the plane was attempting to land at Grozny airport, Russian air defenses were countering attacks from Ukrainian combat drones targeting Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz.

[rabbit-lake-news]

Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash: 38 Dead, 29 Injured

Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash: 38 Dead, 29 Injured Aktau, Kazakhstan – On December 25, 2024, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 fatalities and leaving 29 survivors injured. The Embraer 190 aircraft, carrying 67 passengers and crew, encountered issues shortly after takeoff and attempted an emergency landing before…

[unita2org]

AZERBAIGIAN, CANADA, NORVEGIA, COREA DEL SUD: UNA CATENA FATALE DI INCIDENTI AEREI

Azerbaigian, Canada, Norvegia, Corea del Sud: quattro incidenti aerei in pochi giorni 31 Dicembre 2024 Piccole Note di Davide Malacaria – PICCOLE NOTE Il 25 dicembre è precipitato l’Embraer 190 dell’Azerbaijan Airlines, partito da Baku e mai arrivato a destinazione, che era Grozny. Giunto quasi alla meta, infatti, ha dovuto deviare perché sulla capitale della Cecenia imperversava una…

[adrl-pt]

Christmas Haunts Putin. Immunity Is Not Impunity. Crash of a Flight from Baku.

You are watching the news from the weekly rally at the Russian Embassy in Lisbon. Today is December 28, 2:30 PM.

On the night of December 25, Catholic Christmas, which coincided with Hanukkah this year, Russian forces launched 184 missiles and drones at Ukraine. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 113. https://www.unian.net/war/segodnya-ukrainskaya-pvo-sbila-113-iz-184-vozdushnyh-celey-rf-vozdushnye-sily-12864381.html

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the targets were energy infrastructure facilities in Ukraine. https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rosiya-tsinichno-viznala-shcho-tsillyu-yiyi-1735129450.html

We, together with activists from other countries, are continuing our effort to raise €100,000 for portable power stations officially requested by Ukrainian hospitals and schools. Follow the link and contribute. https://antiwarcommittee.info/en/energy-for-life/

On December 25, Finnish broadcaster Yle reported that one of the underwater power cables connecting Estonia and Finland was damaged. The Finnish Border Guard confiscated a tanker carrying Russian oil that had significantly slowed its speed at the time of the cable damage. https://yle.fi/a/74-20133523

Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that the response to the cable damage would include combating the shadow fleet and strengthening NATO and EU presence. https://yle.fi/a/74-20133675

On the same day, two Russian diplomats in Buenos Aires refused a breathalyzer test and locked themselves in their cars. Article 41 of the Vienna Convention requires individuals enjoying diplomatic privileges and immunities to respect the laws of the receiving state. https://tn.com.ar/policiales/2024/12/25/soy-diplomatico-un-hombre-se-nego-a-hacer-el-control-de-alcoholemia-durante-la-navidad-y-fue-demorado/

On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines plane flying from Baku to Grozny crashed in Kazakhstan after being diverted due to failed landing attempts in Grozny. According to one of Reuters' sources, preliminary findings from the Azerbaijani investigation indicate the plane was hit by a Russian Pantsir-S air defense system, and its communications were paralyzed by electronic warfare. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/azerbaijan-airlines-flight-was-downed-by-russian-air-defence-system-four-sources-2024-12-26/

The following day, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov awarded his nephew, who confirmed on December 25 that drones had attacked Chechnya in the morning and claimed everything had been intercepted. https://t.me/agentstvonews/8661

Azerbaijan is demanding acknowledgment of the plane’s downing, an apology, and compensation. https://news.day.az/politics/1718750.html

On December 25, the head of the liquidated Belarusian Green Party was sentenced to six years in prison for bringing flowers to the Russian embassy on the day of Navalny’s assassination. https://theins.ru/news/277498

On December 24, a Moscow cardiac surgeon was sentenced to four years in prison in a case involving donations to the Anti-Corruption Foundation. https://ovd.info/express-news/2024/12/24/kardiokhirurga-iz-moskvy-s-20-letnim-stazhem-prigovorili-k-chetyrem-godam

On December 26, the BBC published an investigation by anthropologist Alexandra Arkhipova. Arkhipova discovered that Anna Korobkova, who submitted denunciations of hundreds of people, is actually journalist Ivan Abaturov, who learned the practice from his grandfather, a former NKVD informer. Arkhipova emphasized that these denunciations were not backed by a powerful organization but rather an individual seeking personal significance. https://www.bbc.com/russian/articles/cx2n4ydne2jo

On December 27, Pavel Muntyan, one of the creators of the cartoon Mr. Freeman, spoke in an interview on the “This is Osetinskaya!” channel about the project to issue passports for the virtual country of Freeland. The goal is to recruit 2,000 citizens and apply to the UN for recognition of this country. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jED-NzAVx0U&t=5840s

Happy New Year!

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[trendingnews19]

An Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed, killing 38 people, was damaged while flying over Russia "due to shooting from the ground", the country's president has said.President Ilham Aliyev said he believed the plane, which crashed around two miles from Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, was not shot down intentionally. However, he accused some circles in Russia of wanting to cover up the truth about the nature of the crash.The Embraer 190 passenger jet was en route from Azerbaijan's capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus when it changed course, flying east across the Caspian Sea.It crashed in Kazakhstan while attempting to land, killing 38 people and injuring all of the 29 survivors. In an interview with Azerbaijani television, Mr Aliyev said the plane was damaged "from the outside" while over Russian territory and that "electronic warfare systems" put the plane "out of control".He said: "At the same time, as a result of fire from the ground, the tail of the plane was also severely damaged."The fact that the fuselage is riddled with holes indicates that the theory of the plane hitting a flock of birds, which was brought up by someone, is completely removed from the agenda." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:18 Video shows holes in crashed plane's tail He added: "Unfortunately, however, some circles in Russia preferred to put forward this theory. Another regrettable and surprising moment for us was that official Russian agencies put forward theories about the explosion of some gas cylinder on board the plane. "In other words, this clearly showed that the Russian side wanted to cover up the issue, which, of course, is unbecoming of anyone."He said the plane was hit "by accident" and ruled out a "deliberate act of terror".However, he criticised Russian authorities for not taking responsibility. Image: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met at the BRICS summit last month. Pic: Reuters "Admitting the guilt, apologising in a timely manner to Azerbaijan, which is considered a friendly country, and informing the public about this - all these were measures and steps that should have been taken," he said."Unfortunately, for the first three days, we heard nothing from Russia except for some absurd theories." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 Video shows inside plane before crash On Saturday, Russia's president Vladimir Putin apologised to his Azerbaijani counterpart for what he called a "tragic incident" - but stopped short of taking responsibility.The Kremlin said in a statement on Saturday that air defence systems were firing near Grozny because of a Ukrainian drone strike, but did not confirm one of these downed the plane. Image: Specialists working at the crash site of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Pic: Reuters According to a Kremlin readout of a call, the Russian president apologised to Mr Aliyev "for the fact that the tragic incident occurred in Russian airspace". Read more from Sky News:At least three people killed off coast of FranceUK rejects Putin apology over Azerbaijan Airlines crashThe White House said early indications suggest the plane could have been brought down by Russia.Two US military officials told Sky News' partner network NBC News that America has intelligence indicating Russia may have misidentified the aircraft as a drone and shot it down.In the days following the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines blamed "physical and technical interference" and announced the suspension of flights to several Russian airports. If it is proved that the plane crashed after being hit by Russian air defences, it would be the second deadly aviation incident linked to the Kremlin's conflict with Ukraine.Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down by a Russian missile according to investigators, killing all 298 people aboard, in 2014.

[mariacallous]

On December 25, an Embraer 190 passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed in western Kazakhstan while en route from Baku to Grozny. More than half of the 67 people onboard were killed. Several potential causes were reported in the initial hours after the crash, including a bird strike, bad weather, and an oxygen tank explosion. After investigators examined the wreckage, however, they concluded that a Russian anti-aircraft missile likely damaged the plane. Azerbaijan soon demanded that Russia pay compensation for the crash and hold those responsible criminally liable. Then, on Saturday, Vladimir Putin issued a rare apology over the “tragic incident,” though he stopped short of admitting Russia’s responsibility outright. Meduza tracks the diplomatic fallout from the crash and the ongoing investigations into its cause.

[merapitimes]

Behind the Azerbaijan Airlines crash

"Investigators probe Russian air defense systems after Azerbaijan Airlines crash kills dozens in Kazakhstan.

A view of the crash site where an Azerbaijan Airlines flight, carrying 67 people and traveling from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, crashed near Aktau, a Caspian city in Kazakhstan, on December 25, 2024. Photo by Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan/Anadolu/Getty Images A devastating passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan has claimed the lives of 38 people, with suspicions that Russian air…

[darkmaga-returns]

Putin dismisses Trump's NATO proposal. Italian journalist arrested in Iran. Sectarian Killings In Syria. Trump Posts Bizarre Truth Social Message. Patients Received CV Jabs while under sedation

Lioness of Judah Ministry

Putin dismisses Trump's NATO proposal amid rising tensions

Vladimir Putin rejected the suggestion from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's team that Ukraine's membership in NATO would be delayed by at least a decade in exchange for Russia agreeing to end the war against Ukraine, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

According to experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Vladimir Putin rejected the proposal from Donald Trump's team regarding a potential peace plan. This proposal entailed delaying Ukraine's NATO membership by at least a decade in exchange for Russia ending the war. Responding to a journalist's question on December 26 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time about commenting on Trump's team's proposal, Putin stated that it doesn't matter whether Ukraine joins NATO "today, tomorrow, or in 10 years."

US intelligence points to possible misidentification of Azerbaijani plane by Russia, MSNBC reports

There is US intelligence that Russia may have mistakenly shot down an Azerbaijan Airlines flight that crashed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday after misidentifying it as an incoming drone, MSNBC reported on Friday, citing two unidentified US military sources.

Exclusive: Survivors on Azerbaijani plane say they heard bangs before it went down

BAKU, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Two passengers and one crew member on the Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan told Reuters that they heard at least one loud bang as it approached its original destination of Grozny in southern Russia.

Flight J2-8243 crashed on Wednesday in a ball of fire near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan after diverting from an area of southern Russia where Moscow has repeatedly used air defence systems against Ukrainian attack drones. At least 38 people were killed while 29 survived. "After the bang...I thought the plane was going to fall apart," Subhonkul Rakhimov, one of the passengers, told Reuters from hospital.

EU country ready to host Russia-Ukraine talks – PM

Slovakia’s Robert Fico made the announcement on social media

Slovakia is willing to host any kind of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on Friday. Fico reportedly floated the idea privately to Russian President Vladimir Putin during his recent visit to Moscow. Since his election in 2023, Slovakia has criticized the EU and NATO approach to the conflict and advocated for a ceasefire and talks. “If someone wants to organize a peace negotiation in the Slovak Republic, we will be ready and hospitable,” Fico said Friday in a Facebook post.

US could buy Nord Stream – Vucic

The Serbian president has made the prediction following recent reports about an American investor’s bid for the pipeline

The sabotaged Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline could become the property of a US investor in a year, and gas supplies from Russia to the EU could be resumed through the connector, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has suggested. Vucic shared his view about the future of the pipeline in an interview with the German news outlet Handelsblatt published on Friday. “I dare to predict: In a year at the latest, Nord Stream will be owned by an American investor, and gas will flow from Russia to Europe through the pipeline,” the Serbian leader said. “Mark my words. One year until Nord Stream is up and running!”

[cyberbenb]

Azerbaijani airliner that crashed in December struck by Russian Pantsir missile, source tells Reuters

The Azerbaijani airliner that crashed in Kazakhstan in December after diverting from the Russian airspace was struck by a Russian Pantsir air defense missile, an undisclosed Azerbaijani official told Reuters in comments published on Feb. 4.

The Azerbaijan Airlines plane was flying from Baku to Grozny in Russia’s Chechen Republic before suddenly changing course and crashing on Dec. 25 near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 people on board.

The source revealed to Reuters that the Azerbaijani side possesses a fragment of a Russian Pantsir missile extracted from the crashed plane, adding that the analysis is underway.

Kazakhstan’s authorities on Feb. 4 released preliminary results of their analysis of available data, including the plane’s black boxes. The conclusions pointed to a number of holes and dents in the aircraft and a collision with “foreign metal objects."

Baku has previously accused Russia of accidentally shooting down the plane and demanded an admission of guilt and reparations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev soon after the crash, apologizing for the incident taking place in Russian airspace but stopped short of acknowledging responsibility.

Aliyev later criticized Russia’s handling of the incident, accusing its agencies of suppressing evidence and promoting “absurd versions” of events.

He also criticized Russia for failing to close the airspace during a reported drone attack and highlighted poor coordination between its military and civil aviation services as factors contributing to the tragedy.

Azerbaijan Airlines crash highlights Russia’s failure to close airspace amid war

The Dec. 25 Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash, likely caused by Russian air defense, shines light on a glaring issue the Kremlin has long swept under the rug. By unleashing its war against Ukraine, Russia has made its airspace a dangerous place. While Ukraine banned civilian flights over its territo…

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov