Survivor chaos as 32 escape from deadly Azerbaijan Airlines crash

In Kazakhstan, on December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 crashed near Aktau, leading to the death of 38 people aboard. The aircraft, an Embraer 190, was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia but had to divert due to adverse weather. Preliminary investigations indicating potential involvement of Russian air defenses have intensified scrutiny on Moscow. Survivors reported hearing loud bangs before the crash, prompting allegations that the plane might have been shot down amidst ongoing drone attacks in the region. President Ilham Aliyev publicly accused Russia of responsibility for the incident, resulting in growing public anger in Azerbaijan. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences and offered an apology but avoided taking direct responsibility, stating that a comprehensive investigation is required to determine the crash's causes. This incident, reminiscent of past aviation disasters, raises concerns about Russia's handling of air defense operations in an increasingly volatile region.