Azerbaijan Government Sources Reportedly Accuse Russia of Downing Civilian Airliner, Killing 38

The Christmas Day disaster is sparking missile strike allegations and international tension.

Kazakhstan's Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP
In this photo released by Kazakhstan's Emergency Ministry Press Service, a rescuer search at the wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines' Embraer 190 laying on the ground near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan, December 26, 2024. Kazakhstan's Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP

Government insiders from Azerbaijan have placed blame directly on Russia for the fatal crash of a commercial airliner over Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, claiming a surface-to-air missile struck the plane.

According to a report from Euro News, sources from within the Azerbaijani government said that Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432 was flying through drone activity over the city of Grozny in Chechnya when the plane was struck by the missile which was fired from a Pantsir-S air defense system. The aircraft was severely damaged as a result, with passengers injured from shrapnel.

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