By John Q. Hosedrinker 
An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crashed in Aqtau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 people on board. While speculation arose regarding a possible attack, evidenced by purported damage to the plane’s tail and wing, and conflicting reports of a Ukrainian attack on Chechnya, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to hypothesize on the cause. Multiple survivors reported unusual events prior to the crash, including a loud impact and struggles with altitude, prompting investigations by Kazakhstan, Russia, and Azerbaijan. Official statements from various leaders emphasized the need to await investigation results before determining the cause.
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The Kremlin’s refusal to even speculate on the cause of the Azerbaijan Airlines crash speaks volumes. Their silence, a stark contrast to their usual propensity for offering explanations, however flimsy, is deafening. Instead of a reasoned investigation or even a carefully crafted hypothesis, we are met with a wall of silence, a deliberate avoidance of accountability. This reaction reinforces a pattern of behavior where admitting fault is simply not an option, regardless of the consequences.
The lack of an official explanation stands in stark contrast to the abundance of circumstantial evidence pointing towards a possible involvement of Russian air defenses. The damage to the aircraft, consistent with a missile strike, is readily apparent, yet the Kremlin chooses to ignore this, preferring to bury the issue under a mountain of unsubstantiated claims and outright disinformation. This behavior is not new; it’s a well-established tactic of obfuscation and denial.
This incident highlights a disturbing trend: a casual disregard for human life combined with a complete lack of transparency. The Kremlin’s response isn’t just an absence of an explanation; it’s an active suppression of the truth. This suggests that they know exactly what happened and are actively working to prevent any real investigation or acknowledgment of their potential culpability. The blatant disregard for facts and the prioritization of self-preservation over truthfulness is deeply troubling.
The comparison to Iran’s handling of a similar incident is particularly revealing. While Iran, despite its own flaws, eventually acknowledged its role in the downing of a civilian airliner, Russia continues to maintain a stubborn silence. This difference is telling. It reflects a fundamental difference in how these two governments operate – one willing to (eventually) accept responsibility, however begrudgingly, and the other resolutely refusing to acknowledge even the possibility of wrongdoing.
The speculation regarding outdated air defense systems and GPS jamming further fuels suspicions. The possibility that the plane may have been misidentified, while not conclusively proven, adds another layer of concern. This isn’t merely about a technical malfunction; it points towards a systemic problem of inadequate training, deficient technology, or perhaps something far more sinister – deliberate targeting. The lack of a credible explanation only serves to amplify these concerns.
The immediate response from some quarters to attribute the incident to Ukrainian activity is a blatant attempt to deflect blame. This type of disinformation campaign, so characteristic of the Kremlin, aims to shift the focus away from the real possibility of Russian involvement. This pattern of blaming others, whether it’s Ukraine, “fascist bio-laser birds,” or some other absurd concoction, has become almost predictable. The sheer audacity of such fabrications is matched only by the Kremlin’s apparent belief that these tactics will be effective.
The international community’s reaction is likely to be significant, especially given the growing concerns regarding Russia’s actions and its disregard for international norms and laws. The absence of a credible investigation will undoubtedly fuel further distrust and accusations of a cover-up. This incident underscores the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability from the Russian government. The lack of willingness to even hypothesize, let alone investigate, demonstrates a concerning level of disregard for international standards and basic human decency.
The incident also raises critical questions about the adequacy of international mechanisms to deal with such situations. The Kremlin’s intransigence highlights the challenges faced by the international community in holding powerful states accountable for their actions, especially when those actions involve the loss of innocent lives. The lack of a clear and immediate response from international organizations only further underscores the gravity of the situation and the necessity for stronger, more effective measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The continued silence from the Kremlin, therefore, is not just a refusal to acknowledge a potential mistake; it’s a calculated move to obstruct justice and avoid any meaningful accountability. The world deserves better than this.