Flight Cancellations Stem from Suspected Russian Missile Involvement in Deadly Crash Near Kazakhstan
In response to the deadly crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight near Kazakhstan’s Aktau city, several airlines have suspended operations to Russian cities, citing safety concerns. The crash, which claimed the lives of 38 passengers out of 67 aboard, occurred on December 27, 2023, during a flight between Azerbaijan’s Baku and Russia’s Grozny. Initial investigations suggest potential “external interference,” with some Western experts speculating that a Russian anti-aircraft missile may have been involved.
Azerbaijan’s transport minister confirmed the crash involved physical damage, and U.S. officials have pointed to the possibility of Russian involvement. Moscow has denied any such claims, stating that Chechen capital Grozny was under attack from Ukrainian drones that day.
As a precaution, airlines including Turkmenistan Airlines, flydubai, Qazaq Air, and El Al have announced the suspension of various routes to Russia. These cancellations, including those from Ashgabat, Dubai, Yekaterinburg, and Moscow, are expected to continue through January. This heightened caution follows ongoing uncertainty regarding the cause of the crash and Russia’s response to the investigation.
