New document claims Russian military OK’d passenger plane downing

An Azerbaijani information web site has launched explosive new materials, claiming the Russian navy authorised the 2024 missile strike on Azerbaijan Airways Flight 8243, a tragedy that left 38 individuals useless and 29 injured.

Minval studies that it obtained an nameless message, accompanied by audio clips and technical knowledge, which traces the incident again to Captain Dmitry Sergeyevich Paladichuk—a Russian air-defence officer allegedly performing underneath direct orders from Moscow’s Ministry of Defence.

Nonetheless, Euronews mentioned it was not independently in a position to confirm the authenticity of the claims within the Azerbaijani information outlet’s report. Nonetheless, on December twenty sixth, 2024, Reuters reported 4 sources with information of the preliminary investigation had confirmed that Russian air defences have been liable for downing the Azerbaijan aircraft.

Russian weapon used to strike the aircraft

One of many Azerbaijani sources conversant in Azerbaijan’s investigation into the crash informed Reuters that preliminary outcomes confirmed a Russian Pantsir-S air defence system struck the aircraft. Digital warfare methods paralysed its communications on the method into Grozny, the supply informed the British information company.

Euronews reported that the letter in Minval’s possession claims Paladichuk was stationed close to Grozny on the evening of December 24–25, 2024, and that his unit was positioned on full fight alert by 05:40. 

“Attributable to poor cell reception and an absence of purposeful wired communication, coordination relied closely on unstable cell connections,” the letter reads.

“A possible goal was detected at 08:11 and tracked utilizing radar. Two missiles have been reportedly fired on the object after Paladichuk was instructed through cellphone to destroy it, regardless of heavy fog obscuring optical affirmation,” in keeping with the letter.

With radio wires down and cell networks unreliable, coordination fell to unstable cellphone calls, inserting all the operation on precarious footing. In line with the doc, radar recognized an unidentified plane at 08:11. 

Two missiles have been fired on the aircraft

That prompted Paladichuk to strike. Two missiles have been fired: the primary missed; the second detonated brutally shut, sending shrapnel into Flight 8243. 

Minval mentioned it additionally reviewed three voice recordings that corroborate the account—voices giving orders in Russian, missile launch sounds, a declaration of “goal missed,” after which one other launch.

Official Azerbaijani sources knowledgeable Euronews {that a} Russian surface-to-air missile had hit the plane throughout drone exercise over Grozny. Shrapnel tore into passengers and crew. 

Regardless of pilots’ pleas, Russian airports have been denied touchdown permission, and the broken aircraft was rerouted over the Caspian in the direction of Aktau, Kazakhstan, the place it tragically crashed.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, talking on December 29, mentioned Azerbaijan was “not saying that it was finished deliberately, however it was finished.” He issued three calls for to Russia: an apology, request for forgiveness, and full accountability. 

“First, the Russian facet should apologise to Azerbaijan. Second, it should admit its guilt. Third, punish the responsible, carry them to felony accountability and pay compensation to the Azerbaijani state, the injured passengers and crew members,” Aliyev outlined.

No apology from Putin

Nonetheless, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an apology two days later, calling the crash a “tragic incident,” however didn’t settle for accountability for attacking the aeroplane, as reported by todaysviralmedia.

In response, the Kremlin defended its navy conduct, citing defensive actions towards Ukrainian drone threats over Grozny.

Shortly after the tragedy, Russian navy bloggers recommended the explosion occurred over Chechnya’s Naursky District—dwelling to a number of air-defence models—primarily based on open-source intelligence. 

Minval’s current claims come amid intensified authorized and political crises between Russia and Azerbaijan. As the 2 nations face the challenges and points attributable to their bilateral battle, this new data threatens to extend their already fragile relationship.