The mysterious crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines E190 aircraft in Aktau, Southwest Kazakhstan, has raised concerns and sparked debates around the world. Pilotcenter.net News exclusively revealed on December 26, 2024, that the Azerbaijan government points the blame at a Russian surface-to-air missile for the tragic incident.

Flight J2 8432 was allegedly struck by missile shrapnel during a drone air activity while en route from Baku to Grozny, according to Azerbaijani authorities. Despite the pilots’ distress call requesting an emergency landing, it was directed to continue its path over the Caspian Sea towards Aktau.

The aircraft, with the registration number 4K-AZ65, disappeared from radar screens at an altitude of around 9,144 meters over the Caspian Sea, leaving many questions unanswered. Initial reports suggested a possible bird strike, but social media images of the aircraft damage hint at a different story, showing shrapnel-like holes inconsistent with bird impacts.

In the midst of speculation, the Russian government, as reported by the BBC, urged caution against jumping to conclusions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the need to await the investigation’s results before drawing any hypotheses.

The crash claimed the lives of 38 passengers, with 29 fortunate enough to survive. A national day of mourning was observed in Azerbaijan on December 27, 2024, in honor of the victims. Meanwhile, Kazakh, Azerbaijani, and Russian officials are diligently investigating the incident, aiming to uncover the truth behind the tragedy.