38 passengers were killed on Wednesday after Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432 crashed as it attempted to make an emergency landing near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan.”

Russian Missile Confirmed
Azerbaijani government sources revealed to Euronews that a Russian surface-to-air missile caused the crash. The missile, fired during drone activity over Grozny, exploded near the aircraft, hitting passengers and crew with shrapnel mid-flight.

Emergency Landing Blocked
Pilots’ requests for an emergency landing at Russian airports were denied. Instead, the damaged plane was ordered to cross the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan. GPS systems were reportedly jammed during the flight.

Tensions in Chechnya
Russian sources stated that air defense forces targeted Ukrainian drones over Chechnya at the time. Chechen Security Council head, Khamzat Kadyrov, confirmed a drone attack on Grozny but reported no casualties or damage on the ground.

Ongoing Investigation
If confirmed, this incident marks the second destruction of a commercial plane by Russian forces since MH17 in Ukraine. An investigation will probe the missile launch, denied emergency landings, and the plane’s redirection with severe damage.