Four Azerbaijani sources familiar with the investigation have told Reuters that Wednesday’s Azerbaijan Airlines crash in Kazakhstan, which claimed 38 lives, was reportedly caused by a Russian Pantsir-S air defense system. The incident occurred as Flight J2-8243 deviated significantly from its planned Baku-to-Grozny route, ultimately crashing near Aktau on the opposite side of the Caspian Sea.
The aircraft reportedly encountered difficulties in an area where Russian forces have been actively defending against Ukrainian drone incursions. According to one source, electronic warfare systems disrupted the plane’s communications as it approached Grozny. “No one claims that it was done on purpose,” the source stated, adding that Baku expects Moscow to acknowledge responsibility.
Supporting evidence includes:
- Verified social media videos showing apparent shrapnel damage to the plane’s tail section
- Flight tracking data revealing GPS jamming throughout the aircraft’s journey over southwest Russia
- Reports of extensive Russian anti-drone operations in the region, with 59 Ukrainian drones reportedly intercepted that day
Aviation security firm Osprey Flight Solutions highlighted the possibility of anti-aircraft fire involvement, noting the coincidence of recent Ukrainian drone activity in Russia’s Dagestan and Chechnya regions and subsequent air defense responses.
NATO has called for a comprehensive investigation into the crash, while Kazakhstan’s senate chairman maintains that the cause remains undetermined. The incident occurred after the flight diverted from its original path, with the nearest Russian airport closed during the morning of the crash.
Russian aviation authorities initially suggested a bird strike may have caused the emergency, though this explanation doesn’t address the aircraft’s substantial route deviation.
