Russian Air Defense Suspected in Fatal Plane Crash Over Caspian Sea
38 passengers died after an Azerbaijani plane was likely misidentified and struck near Grosny, escalating tensions between Russia, NATO, and regional nations.
- An Azerbaijani passenger plane crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, killing 38 of the 67 people on board, with evidence pointing to Russian air defense systems mistakenly targeting the aircraft.
- Russian officials suggested the plane may have been misidentified as a Ukrainian drone during ongoing drone attacks in the region, though Moscow has not officially admitted responsibility.
- Azerbaijan's President Ilham Alijew has called for Russia to take accountability, while Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an apology but stopped short of acknowledging direct culpability.
- The crash has prompted international reactions, with NATO demanding a thorough investigation and airlines like El Al suspending flights to Russia over safety concerns.
- Simultaneously, tensions are rising in the Baltic Sea, where Finland and Estonia accuse Russian-linked vessels of sabotaging undersea cables, further straining relations between NATO and Russia.
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