Azerbaijani Plane Crash Linked to Russian Missile, Preliminary Reports Suggest

Investigations reveal external damage to the aircraft, with Azerbaijan claiming evidence of a Russian Pantsir-S missile fragment.

An Azerbaijani passenger plane crashed on December 25, 2024, in Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 people on board.
A Kazakh preliminary report indicates the plane suffered damage likely caused by external objects, including holes in the tail, left engine, and wing.
Azerbaijan claims to have recovered a fragment of a Russian Pantsir-S missile from the wreckage, identified through international analysis.
Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an apology, calling the crash a 'tragic accident' during air defense operations against a Ukrainian drone attack, but Russia has not officially claimed responsibility.
Kazakhstan, leading the investigation, has not directly blamed Russia despite being a close ally, while Azerbaijan continues to assert accidental Russian involvement.