Preliminary investigation: AZAL aircraft shot down by Russian air defence Exclusive data by Caliber.Az

According to reliable government sources, Caliber.Az has learned that the preliminary results of the investigation have determined that an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, was attacked on approach to Grozny by the Russian air defence system Pantsir-S.

Furthermore, as a result of the use of Russian electronic warfare (EW) systems, the communication system of the Azerbaijani aircraft was completely paralysed. This disruption caused the aircraft to disappear from radar within Russian airspace and only reappeared in the area of the Caspian Sea.

According to Russian sources, at the time of the flight over Chechnya, Russian air defence systems were attempting to shoot down Ukrainian drones. The head of the Security Council of the Chechen Republic, Khamzat Kadyrov, confirmed the drone attack on Grozny on the morning of December 25, stating that there were no casualties or damage. In this case, the Russian side should have closed its airspace to civilian aircraft, but this was not done. Why a no-fly zone was not declared over Chechnya remains a significant question.

As is known, the Grozny airport refused to allow the aircraft to land. Moreover, the Azerbaijani aircraft was also denied landing permissions at the airports in Makhachkala and Mineralnye Vody. The disoriented crew, subjected to air defence fire and electronic warfare (EW) systems, was redirected to the Kazakh city of Aktau. It can be assumed that this recommendation was given with one goal: to have the aircraft crash into the Caspian Sea, where all witnesses would perish and the aircraft would sink. However, this is merely our assumption. Alternative versions circulating in Russian media are deliberate disinformation attempts to mislead public opinion. Video recordings from the aircraft cabin indicate that two passengers were injured by shrapnel. All eyewitness testimony, including reports of explosions heard outside the aircraft, points to the involvement of air defence systems.

For the Azerbaijani side involved in the investigation, the situation is absolutely clear. No one is claiming that this was done intentionally. However, given the established facts, Baku expects the Russian side to acknowledge its responsibility for shooting down the Azerbaijani aircraft, issue an official apology to the Azerbaijani people, and conduct a full investigation, the results of which should lead to holding all responsible parties accountable.