Azerbaijani and U.S. officials suggested on Friday that Russian air defense systems might have mistakenly brought down an Azerbaijan Airlines plane earlier this week. The incident has drawn intense scrutiny, with aviation experts pointing to Russian defenses as the likely cause of the crash.
Rashan Nabiyev, an Azerbaijani minister, cited expert analysis and survivor testimonies to bolster claims that a weapon struck the aircraft. U.S. National Security spokesman John Kirby echoed these concerns, aligning with independent aviation assessments that blame Russian defenses for the tragedy.
The Azerbaijan Airlines flight was approaching its destination when reports of a drone attack in the region triggered Russian air defense systems. Moscow has not directly addressed the allegations, instead focusing on the drone activity reportedly taking place at the time of the crash.
The crash comes amid heightened tensions in the region, further complicating already strained international relations. While Russia has yet to confirm or deny the involvement of its defense systems, the incident has amplified calls for transparency and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.