Azerbaijan Airlines says crashed plane was subjected to ‘external physical and technical interference’ — Reuters
The Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Aktau in western Kazakhstan on Wednesday was subjected to “external physical and technical interference,” according to preliminary findings, Reuters reported, citing a statement from the airline.
The airline’s statement came shortly after the head of Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) confirmed that Grozny was under drone attack as the plane attempted to land at its airport. He claimed that the flight crew had been offered alternative airports in Russia but decided to proceed to Aktau instead.
Meanwhile, Euronews, citing sources in Azerbaijan’s government, reported that the damaged plane had requested an emergency landing but was denied permission to land at any Russian airport. The crew was then directed to fly across the Caspian Sea toward Aktau.
Both Euronews and Reuters reported that the crash was caused by a Russian air defense system. According to Reuters, a missile was fired at the plane during drone activity over Grozny. The missile exploded near the aircraft, damaging its fuselage.
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