Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432 crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 fatalities. Preliminary investigations indicate a Russian surface-to-air missile, fired during drone activity over Grozny, struck the aircraft. The plane, reportedly denied landing at Russian airports despite damage, was instructed to cross the Caspian Sea, with its GPS navigation jammed en route. This incident bears resemblance to the MH17 tragedy and raises serious questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the missile launch and subsequent actions.
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In a significant escalation, Ukraine launched a drone attack on Russian warships in the Caspian Sea, marking the first time Kyiv has targeted vessels in this region. The attack, which took place in the port city of Kaspiysk, hundreds of miles from the frontlines, highlights Ukraine’s growing long-range strike capabilities and its ongoing efforts to cripple Russia’s naval forces. This attack follows a pattern of successful Ukrainian strikes on Russian naval vessels in the Black Sea, demonstrating the effectiveness of their asymmetric warfare tactics. The Caspian Sea attack, coupled with Ukraine’s increasing use of drones to strike land targets deep within Russia, suggests a new phase in the conflict, characterized by Ukraine’s ability to project force beyond the immediate battlefields.
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John Q. Hosedrinker