Azerbaijan Airlines is under scrutiny following the crash of one of its planes near the Kazakh city of Aktau on December 25, which resulted in at least 38 fatalities and left 29 survivors. The incident involved Flight 8243, which was carrying 67 people, including 37 Azerbaijani passengers alongside Russians, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz nationals, as it made its way from Baku to Grozny, Russia. Immediate search and rescue operations were launched by the Kazakh Emergency Situations Ministry.
Witness accounts from survivors shed light on the chaotic circumstances of the crash. Subkhonkul Rakhimov, who survived the ordeal, described waking up to the terrifying sound of a loud explosion mid-air. “By the will of the Almighty, I survived unharmed. I urge all Muslims to have faith; in such moments, it brings peace,” he recounted. Rakhimov, originally from Tajikistan but living in Yekaterinburg, Russia, noted how oxygen masks deployed, and parts of the cabin appeared damaged immediately following the incident.
The situation escalated as the aircraft, initially stabilizing after the explosion, began to behave erratically. Rakhimov and fellow passengers were soon confronted with the dreadful reality of the crash as the plane lost control, leading to its impact near the shores of the Caspian Sea. The evacuation was fraught with difficulties, as Rakhimov attempted to assist fellow passengers trapped among the wreckage.
Flight attendant Zulfugar Asadov also shared his relief at surviving, stating simply, "Thank God I’m alive." His account aligns with those of other survivors who reported panic and chaos during the flight, accompanied by instinctual prayers. Reports have indicated contrasting conclusions about the crash's cause, with Kazakh officials initially attributing it to collisions with birds.
Experts, including Kazakh aviation safety analysts, have since challenged this narrative. One expert remarked to Al Jazeera, "No bird can ever cause such damage; it’s absurd and criminal to claim such a thing." Investigations are now probing the possibility of involvement from Russian military air defenses, especially as reports surface of shrapnel damage on the aircraft's fuselage, potentially resulting from anti-drone operations near Grozny.
Compounding the confusion, some sources have suggested Russian air defense forces may have mistakenly hit the aircraft during operations aimed at thwarting Ukrainian drone attacks. Alisher Ilkhamov from Central Asia Due Diligence claimed, “They wanted to write it off as a bird strike, but the truth is becoming harder to suppress.” The crash site analysis indicated deep holes and multiple pockmarks on the airplane, evidence raising questions about official explanations.
The geopolitical ramifications of this crash cannot be understated. While formal relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are likely to remain intact, the tragedy's impact on public perception and governmental authority continues to evolve. Experts express concern over the potential erosion of trust among the Azerbaijani public, with analysts noting, "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." This incident casts shadows on Moscow's influence and international standing within Azerbaijan.
Russian officials have refrained from detailed comments on the developments surrounding the crash. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Kremlin, remarked, “We don’t feel entitled to give assessments, won’t do it.” This cautious stance contrasts sharply with the voices of those impacted by this disaster as they navigate their grief and questioning.
Meanwhile, investigations from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia continue. Each country's aviation authorities are struggling to sift through the facts of a flight shrouded by tragedy and uncertainty. The aviation community remains on high alert, wondering how such incidents can continue to happen, and what measures are necessary to prevent future losses.
