Tragic Incident Claims Lives
On December 25, 2024, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 met a catastrophic fate, with missile fire leading to its destruction and resulting in the loss of 38 lives and injuring 29 others. Recently, credible reports from Russian investigators indicate that the plane was downed by a missile launched from a Pantsir-S1 air defense system, which had been transported from Syria to Russia. According to sources cited by the Azerbaijan-based news outlet AnewZ, this shocking revelation is now making headlines across Europe.
Electronic Warfare Compromised Aircraft
As Flight 8243 approached Grozny for landing, electronic warfare measures targeted the aircraft, creating significant malfunctions in its control systems. These disruptions reportedly contributed to the crash near Aktau airport in Kazakhstan. Sources close to the investigation suggest that Russian authorities have traced the missile launch back to an identified individual and pinpointed the officer who issued the order.
Azerbaijan Demands Accountability
Azerbaijan’s government is adamant about pursuing accountability for this incident. Diplomatic sources have communicated that Baku will not let this matter be quietly overlooked and is prepared to escalate the issue to international courts if Russia fails to take responsibility for the crash and its tragic outcomes. The Azerbaijani authorities emphasize the need for justice, asserting that the absence of accountability cannot be tolerated.
Officials Confirm Missile Strike
In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, Azerbaijani officials corroborated that a Russian surface-to-air missile struck Flight 8243 during a drone activity near Grozny. Shrapnel from the explosion affected passengers and crew members mid-flight. Despite pilots’ urgent requests for an emergency landing at Russian airports, they were redirected over the Caspian Sea toward Aktau, where GPS navigation systems were reportedly compromised throughout the flight.
President Aliyev’s Calls for Action
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev addressed the nation three days following the incident, asserting, “We can say with complete clarity that the plane was shot down by Russia.” He outlined three demands to Moscow: an apology, an admission of guilt, and punishment for those responsible. While Russian President Vladimir Putin did extend an apology shortly after, he stopped short of fully acknowledging responsibility for the tragedy. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan announced plans to send the flight’s black boxes to Brazil to aid in uncovering the full truth, reflecting a collaborative effort between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan for a thorough investigation into the incident.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Mint
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