By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following a December 25th crash in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan’s transport minister stated that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane suffered “external interference,” resulting in both internal and external damage. Survivors reported hearing three blasts while the aircraft was over Grozny, Chechnya, leading to speculation that Russian air defenses were involved. While the Kremlin remains silent, Russia cited a “closed-skies protocol” due to Ukrainian drone attacks, and US officials have expressed early indications supporting the theory of Russian air defense involvement. Azerbaijani officials, while avoiding direct accusations, suggest the plane was struck by shrapnel from a missile, impacting its GPS and hydraulic systems.
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Azerbaijan has stated that an Azerbaijani aircraft experienced “external interference” over Russian territory prior to its crash. This statement, while seemingly cautious, hints at a far more serious incident, given the context and subsequent comments from officials and survivors. The suggestion of “external interference” is, to many, a diplomatic understatement, especially considering the eyewitness accounts and other evidence suggesting a more direct cause.
The Azerbaijani transport minister’s announcement that investigators would examine “what kind of weapon, or rather what kind of rocket was used” strongly implies that a missile strike is suspected. This, coupled with reports from survivors mentioning three distinct blast sounds while the plane was over Grozny, further solidifies the suspicion of deliberate targeting.
Pro-government Member of Parliament Rasim Musabekov was far more explicit, stating that the plane was shot down over Russian territory, in the skies above Grozny. His assertion highlights the clear implication that this wasn’t a simple accident. He also added that despite the pilot requesting an emergency landing in Grozny, the plane was inexplicably diverted far away across the Caspian Sea, even without functional GPS capabilities.
Aviation experts and others within Azerbaijan believe the plane’s GPS systems were deliberately interfered with through electronic jamming, rendering them inoperable. This, along with reports of shrapnel damage consistent with a missile strike, paints a chilling picture of deliberate action against the aircraft.
A flight attendant, Zulfuqar Asadov, provided a harrowing account of the incident, describing the plane being hit by “some kind of external strike” above Chechnya. He recounted the ensuing panic amongst passengers, the impact of a second strike, and even sustained injuries himself. These personal accounts strongly corroborate the suspicion of a deliberate attack.
The phrasing of Azerbaijan’s official statement, while careful not to directly accuse Russia, is itself telling. The cautious wording might be seen as a strategic move, considering the potential political repercussions of directly blaming a powerful nation. However, the underlying message of a deliberate, external attack remains clear.
The lack of immediate emergency assistance after the pilot’s request for a landing in Grozny is especially troubling. Instead of directing the damaged aircraft to a nearby airport for an emergency landing, the plane was guided, or perhaps forced, far away, severely complicating the situation and likely contributing to the tragic outcome. This points toward a deliberate attempt to prevent a safe landing.
The silence and lack of an immediate acknowledgment from Russia is also striking. The absence of a prompt investigation and admission, coupled with the evidence presented by Azerbaijan, suggests a deliberate attempt to cover up a serious incident. This lack of transparency is deeply troubling and raises serious concerns about accountability.
The whole incident raises the question of intent. What possible reason could there be for shooting down a civilian airliner? Was this a mistake, an act of aggression, or something else entirely? Until a full and transparent investigation takes place, these questions remain unanswered, fueling speculation and anger. The fact that the investigation focuses on the type of rocket used points to a deliberate act, not a simple accident or malfunction.
The call for the release of the cockpit communications transcript is crucial to understand the full timeline of events and gain a more comprehensive understanding of what happened in the crucial moments leading up to the crash. Analyzing these recordings could provide crucial insights into the pilot’s actions, potential communications with air traffic control, and the sequence of events.
While the official investigation will undoubtedly yield further details, the available information already paints a concerning picture. The survivors’ testimonies, coupled with the official statements from Azerbaijan and other reports, strongly suggest a targeted attack on the aircraft, raising significant questions about accountability and justice for the victims and their families. The initial cautious language from Azerbaijan, far from concealing the truth, may be a strategic move to allow for a full investigation before leveling direct accusations. The urgency for a thorough and transparent international investigation is undeniable.