Russia has urged the public to refrain from speculation regarding the cause of the Azerbaijan Airlines crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, as conspiracy theories continue to circulate. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called for patience, emphasizing the need to wait for the official results of the ongoing investigation before drawing conclusions.
The Embraer EMB190 aircraft, which was carrying 62 passengers and five crew members, crashed on Wednesday, killing 38 people. The plane, which had been traveling from Baku to Makhachkala in Russia, was diverted due to poor weather conditions and subsequently altered its course again, heading toward Aktau, Kazakhstan. Early investigation reports suggest a bird strike may have caused the crash, though some experts have expressed doubts, citing the damage to the aircraft and raising the possibility of a missile strike or other attack.
This theory gained traction due to the crash’s proximity to areas recently targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks, including Makhachkala and Grozny. While social media has been flooded with speculation about a possible Russian air defense strike, the Kremlin has denied these claims, urging people to wait for the results of the investigation before making assumptions.
Azerbaijan Airlines has confirmed that the plane underwent a full technical inspection just two months prior to the crash. The airline also announced the suspension of all flights to Grozny and Makhachkala, fueling further concerns about airspace safety. However, no official explanation has been given for the suspension.
As the investigation continues, authorities in Kazakhstan have confirmed the recovery of 38 bodies from the crash site, while at least 29 survivors have been hospitalized. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging caution until all facts are determined.
