Kazakhstan plane crash survivors say they heard bangs before aircraft went down, Putin issues statement

Crew members and survivors of the tragic Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day have recounted harrowing experiences leading up to the disaster. Many heard at least one loud bang before the aircraft crashed in a ball of fire, sparking speculation that a Russian anti-aircraft missile may have been responsible for the tragedy.

The Embraer 190 passenger jet was en route from Azerbaijan to Russia when it crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after diverting from an area in southern Russia where air defense systems have been used against Ukrainian attack drones. The crash resulted in the loss of at least 38 lives, while 29 passengers survived.

Subhonkul Rakhimov, a passenger on Flight J2-8243, described the terrifying moment when he heard a bang and feared the plane was going to fall apart. “It was obvious that the plane had been damaged in some way. It was as if it was drunk – not the same plane anymore,” he shared with Reuters.

Another survivor, Vafa Shabanova, recalled two explosions in the sky followed by the plane crashing an hour and a half later. Jerova Salihat, another survivor, mentioned hearing something explode near her leg before the tragic crash.

Flight attendant Aydan Rahimli detailed how oxygen masks deployed after a noise, and she rushed to provide first aid to a colleague before hearing another bang. Zulfugar Asadov, another crew member, described the noises as something hitting the plane from the outside. He sustained a severe injury resembling a deep wound on his arm, denying claims that an oxygen canister exploded inside the aircraft.

Asadov recounted that the pilot attempted to land in Grozny but was denied due to fog, circling the aircraft before hearing multiple bangs from the left wing. The two pilots tragically lost their lives in the crash.

Video footage of the incident captured the plane descending rapidly and bursting into flames upon impact with the seashore. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky as bloodied and bruised passengers emerged from the wreckage. Holes were visible in the plane’s tail section, indicating the force of the crash.

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an apology to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the “tragic incident” occurring in Russian airspace, refraining from accepting responsibility for the disaster. The Kremlin acknowledged that Russian air defense systems repelled Ukrainian drone attacks in Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz during the time of the crash.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the aircraft was struck by a Russian anti-aircraft missile or shrapnel from such a missile. Azerbaijan’s probe indicates that the plane was hit by a Russian Pantsir-S air defense system, with electronic warfare systems disrupting communications during the flight.

As investigations continue to determine the cause of the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to eight Russian airports following the tragedy. The airline has taken steps to prioritize passenger safety and address concerns arising from the devastating incident.

The aftermath of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with air travel and the importance of thorough safety protocols in preventing such tragedies from occurring in the future.