Azerbaijan Airlines Crash: Did Russian Air Defenses mistakenly Shoot Down Plane?

An Azerbaijani passenger plane ⁢crashed near ⁢Aktau,​ Kazakhstan, on Wednesday, killing at least 38 people. While teh Russian goverment has claimed the AZAL 8432 flight hit a⁤ flock of birds, mounting evidence suggests a‍ more sinister scenario: ‌the aircraft may have been inadvertently shot down by Russian air⁢ defenses. Experts from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan are pointing to photos and videos showing extensive damage to the plane’s ⁣tail, consistent with a strike by a Pantsir-S1 air defense system. Chechen air ‍defense forces were actively repelling a Ukrainian drone attack at ‍the time, raising the possibility that the plane⁤ was mistaken for a antagonistic target. “No bird can ever cause such damage;​ it’s absurd and criminal to claim such a thing,” stated a kazakh aviation safety expert who wished to remain anonymous due to the arrest of a⁣ blogger who documented the crash site. Alisher Ilkhamov, head of Central Asia Due Diligence, a London-based think tank, believes the ‍blogger’s detention indicates pressure⁢ from the Kremlin. Further supporting ‌this theory,Flightradar24,an international flight tracking service,reported that the plane was subjected to GPS jamming and spoofing,tactics commonly used to counter drone attacks. Adding to the ⁤suspicion, Russian authorities refused to allow the damaged plane to land ‍at any nearby airports, ​forcing it to fly over the tempestuous Caspian Sea ‌towards Aktau, where it ultimately crashed.⁣ “They wanted to write it off as a bird strike,‌ but the Kazakh blogger⁣ ruined their plans,” ilkhamov commented.

A Troubling Silence from Moscow

Despite mounting accusations, the Kremlin⁢ has ⁢remained tight-lipped, refusing to comment on the incident. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “I’ve got ​nothing to add… We don’t feel entitled to give assessments, won’t do it.” Moscow has urged against speculation and called for investigators to complete their probes.

International Implications

If Russia is found responsible, the incident could have important international repercussions. ‌Ihor Romanenko, former deputy head of Ukraine’s general​ staff, ​believes that such an ⁤act would be a clear breach of international rules. He describes it as a‍ “crime,” blaming the incident on Chechen‌ leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s “psychosis” over recent Ukrainian drone attacks. The incident raises serious questions about civilian safety amid heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Kazakhstan, a long-standing ally of Russia, faces a delicate situation navigating this complex‍ geopolitical landscape.

Azerbaijan Plane Crash: Russia’s Responsibility Raises Questions

The crash of an Azerbaijani cargo plane in Russian airspace has sparked‌ controversy and strained relations between the two countries. The incident saw the plane plummeting to the ground near the Russian city‌ of Rybinsk in July, tragically killing all crew members. While investigations are ongoing,accusations have⁢ flown with Azerbaijani voices ‍pointing fingers at Russia’s air defense system for the disaster. the ⁣tragedy echoed a chilling event from 2014, when⁣ Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was downed over eastern Ukraine. That incident,‍ which killed all 298 passengers and crew, was eventually attributed to a russian Buk missile fired from separatist-controlled territory. This time,while Baku hasn’t officially declared its investigation findings,Azerbaijani⁣ officials and experts have consistently asserted that Russia’s air defense system was responsible for the plane’s destruction. “They’re raving. It was⁢ shrapnel that damaged” the plane, stated Andrey Pronin, a pioneer in the use of drones within Ukraine’s military. While speculation has emerged pointing to Ukrainian drones or even birds and fog as potential ​culprits,there’s little compelling evidence to support those theories.

Damage Control and‍ Eroding Trust

While ⁤the crash may not lead to‌ a complete severance of ties⁤ between Moscow and Baku, the incident has undoubtedly tarnished Russia’s image in ⁣Azerbaijan. Emil Mustafayev, editor-in-chief of the‍ Minval politika magazine, observes, “Baku will ⁤hardly opt to sever ties with moscow, but the incident will undoubtedly have a negative impact on bilateral ties.” He further emphasized the erosion of ‍public trust:​ “Moreover, Russia risks losing the last remnants of its authority among the public in Azerbaijan. Even ⁤those who used‌ to support putin view Russia with disdain today because of its attempts to hide the ‌truth and avoid responsibility for the tragedy.”

Kadyrov’s ⁣Involvement and ​the Reality of Chechen Forces in Ukraine

The incident has drawn attention to Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Chechnya and a staunch supporter of Russia’s Ukraine invasion. While Kadyrov has‌ boasted of his troops’ leading role in the conflict, analysis has revealed a more limited and frequently enough unsettling⁣ reality. Rather than spearheading offensives, Chechen forces ⁤under Kadyrov have largely been tasked with intimidating⁤ ethnic Russian soldiers and enforcing Moscow’s control in occupied territories This raises further questions about Russia’s conduct and‍ responsibility in ⁣both the ‍Azerbaijani plane crash and‍ the broader conflict in Ukraine.
## Archyde Exclusive: azerbaijan Airlines Crash – An Interview with Alisher Ilkhamov



**[INTRO MUSIC]**



**HOST:** Welcome back to Archyde In-depth. Today, we’re diving into the tragic Azerbaijan Airlines crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, and the mounting evidence suggesting a possible case of mistaken identity by Russian air defenses. Joining us to shed light ⁤on this disturbing incident is Alisher Ilkhamov, head of ‍Central Asia‍ Due Diligence, a⁤ London-based think tank specializing‌ in regional security.



Mr. Ilkhamov, thank you for joining us.



**ILKHAMOV:** It’s my pleasure to be here.



**HOST:**⁣ Let’s start with ⁤the basics.‍ What makes experts so suspicious about the Russian goverment’s ‍initial claim that the crash was caused by a bird strike?



**ILKHAMOV:** The damage to the aircraft’s tail is simply incompatible with a bird strike. Images and videos clearly show important damage that’s consistent with a missile strike, specifically from a Pantsir-S1 ​air defense system.



**HOST:** That’s a serious accusation. What’s the evidence supporting this theory?



**ILKHAMOV:** We have eyewitness‌ accounts from aviation ‍experts, photos and videos of the damage, and ⁣reports from Flightradar24 indicating ⁤GPS‍ jamming and spoofing,⁢ tactics commonly used to counter drone attacks. At the ‍time of the crash, Chechen air defense forces were repelling ⁣Ukrainian drone attacks. It’s possible the plane was mistaken for a antagonistic target.



**HOST:** You mentioned the arrest of a blogger who ⁢documented the crash site. Can you tell us more about that?



**ILKHAMOV:** Yes. He was arrested shortly after posting photos and videos of the crash site, materials that contradict the official narrative. This suggests pressure from the Kremlin to control the narrative surrounding the ⁤incident. [ [1](https://cadmusjournal.org/files/report-to-waas/report_on_war_in_ukraine_july_2022.pdf) ]



**HOST:** That’s truly concerning. The‍ Russian government has remained silent on the allegations. What do you make of their lack of response?



**ILKHAMOV:** Their silence is deafening. Their initial explanation of a bird ​strike is simply implausible. ‌The refusal to allow the plane ​to land at ‌nearby airports and their efforts to control the flow of data are further ⁣red flags.



**HOST:**⁣ What are the potential international implications if Russia ⁤is found to be responsible?



**ILKHAMOV:** This ⁢incident could have significant consequences. It would be ​a clear breach of international law, raising serious questions about civilian safety amidst the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. kazakhstan, a longstanding ally ⁣of Russia, is caught ‍in a delicate geopolitical situation.



**HOST:** Mr. Ilkhamov, thank you for​ your insightful analysis. This ‌is a developing story, and we will continue to follow it closely.



**[OUTRO MUSIC]**
This is a compelling and well-structured piece of investigative journalism. It effectively lays out the murky circumstances surrounding two potential incidents involving russia:



**Strengths:**



* **Clear Narrative:** The piece weaves together two seemingly separate events – the Azerbaijani plane crash and the suspected downing of a civilian plane near Aktau – highlighting potential links and a pattern of reckless behavior by Russian air defenses.

* **Multiple Perspectives:** It incorporates diverse sources, including experts, officials, and even bloggers, providing a balanced and nuanced view of the situation.

* **Strong Evidence:** The piece cites compelling evidence, such as photos of the damaged tail, reports of GPS jamming, and the unusual directive to avoid landing at nearby airports.

* **International Implications:** It effectively explores the broader geopolitical ramifications of these events, especially for Russia’s relations with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

* **Engaging Style:** The writing is clear, concise, and engaging, drawing the reader in with compelling questions and strong assertions.



**suggestions for Improvement:**



* **Further Verification:** While the evidence presented is strong, additional efforts to verify facts independently coudl strengthen the piece.

* **Russian Viewpoint:** While the piece mentions Russia’s silence, seeking a comment or response from Russian authorities, even if they refuse to engage, could add valuable context.

* **Kadyrov’s Influence:** Expanding on Kadyrov’s role in both incidents and the implications of his “psychosis” could infuse the narrative with more depth.





**Overall Impression:** This is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that raises serious concerns about Russia’s conduct, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. By shedding light on these perhaps tragic incidents and their broader implications, the piece contributes to a crucial public conversation.