Azerbaijan Airlines E190 crash was caused by a Russian missile strike

The Azerbaijan Airlines crash on 25 December 2024 was caused by a Russian missile attempting to shoot down a Ukrainian UAV.

By: Haotian

Published on: 27 December 2024, 11.29am

A video taken after the accident revealed holes around the aircraft's control surfaces. Photo: Reuters

The Azerbaijan Airlines crash on Christmas involving an 11 year-old Embraer E190, registered 4K-AZ65, was caused by a Russian surface-to-air missile. Flight J2-8243 was carrying 62 passengers and 5 crew from Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD/UBBB) to Grozny Airport (GRV/URMG).

According to reports, the missile was fired while trying to shoot down Ukrainian drones, where the aircraft was supposed to land. The missile exploded while in the air, creating shrapnel which struck the aircraft, and caused multiple holes to form on the fuselage of the cabin.

Additionally, when the crew requested an emergency landing in Russia, it was reportedly denied, and was instead instructed to fly to Aktau, Kazakhstan, which was separated from Russia by the Caspian Sea.

The aircraft was unable to make it to the airport and eventually crashed on the shore of the Caspian Sea in Aktau. Out of the 67 passengers and crew on board the aircraft, at least 38 of them unfortunately perished, while many others were injured.

Investigations of the crash are still underway.