Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Aktau: We know the names and ranks of the culprits Caliber.Az exclusive

Caliber.Az has learned from reliable sources that the investigation into the tragic crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane has revealed new details. The Russian investigation has confirmed that the aircraft was shot down by a Pantsir S-1 air defence system, which was transferred to Russia from Syria. Additionally, sources report that electronic warfare (EW) was employed against the Azerbaijani plane, causing a failure in its control system.

The investigation has identified not only the individual responsible for firing at the civilian aircraft but also the person who issued the order. Our editorial team is already aware of their names and ranks, and we will disclose this information to our readers at the appropriate time.

For now, we turn to Kremlin officials: rest assured, we already know the names and ranks of those directly responsible for the tragedy involving the military. Of course, you may continue to adhere to the policy of concealing the truth, effectively becoming accomplices to the crime. Or, you can act with honour, without delaying the process, and acknowledge responsibility for the tragedy.

Because the way you are acting now is dishonourable, petty, and outright disgraceful. We understand your desire to blame others and to create dozens of alternative versions, as was the case with the Malaysian Boeing or the South Korean airliner. But Azerbaijan has never behaved this way in its relations with Russia. Even in the case of your military helicopter, which was shot down by Azerbaijani forces on November 9, 2020. We remind you that it was flying at a low altitude, with its transponders turned off, while escorting an Armenian convoy heading toward the Nakhchivan section of the border. President Aliyev could have justifiably stated that this was a legitimate military target, and he would have been absolutely right, but instead, he acted like a man: he offered an apology, the cost of the helicopter was paid, and compensation was provided to the families of the deceased.

We will also debunk the myth about the Russian peacekeepers killed in Karabakh, whose photographs, by the way, were leaked online by your own intelligence agencies. The Russian peacekeeping contingent was warned in advance that on September 20, 2023, the day of the anti-terrorist operation, their sole task was to stay at the base and not venture out. The overwhelming majority of the contingent successfully fulfilled this "difficult" task. The exception was a few officers who decided to leave the base, ignoring the warnings and failing to coordinate their actions with the Azerbaijani side. In a combat environment, any uncoordinated vehicle automatically becomes a target, and unfortunately, these officers came under fire. This is precisely why it was clearly stated: do not venture out. Despite the tragic nature of the situation, the Azerbaijani side took responsibility for what happened, offered an apology, and held those responsible accountable.

Now the question is: what will happen next in Azerbaijani-Russian relations? According to informed sources, if Russia attempts to cover up the case and does not make the results of the investigation public, Azerbaijan will turn to international legal institutions. Moreover, the refusal to acknowledge responsibility, with all the consequences that follow, will mark a breaking point in Azerbaijani-Russian relations. Russia already has few friendly states left, and it risks losing yet another one—Azerbaijan. Especially since Russia's already low image among the Azerbaijani population has significantly worsened in light of recent events.