UPDATE: In a shocking revelation, Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that the country’s air defense mistakenly targeted an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane, resulting in the tragic crash that claimed the lives of 38 people. The incident, which occurred in December 2025, has raised serious concerns about air safety and military protocols.
The Embraer E190AR was misidentified as a potential threat and struck by a Pantsir-S1 missile launched from the Naursky district of Chechnya. At the time, the aircraft was making its final approach to land in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, a region governed by Putin’s ally, warlord Ramzan Kadyrov.
According to leaked communications between the pilots and air traffic control, the crew initially believed they experienced a bird strike. At 8:12 AM, they reported a loss of GPS and requested assistance from multiple airports across Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. Just minutes later, at 8:16 AM, the situation escalated as one pilot announced, “We have control failure, bird strike in the cockpit.”
As the crew struggled to maintain control, they attempted to divert to airports, ultimately declaring an emergency situation. At 8:19 AM, the pilot lamented, “I can’t maintain 150, we have high pressure in the cabin.” By 8:20 AM, as the flight’s scheduled arrival time approached, the pilot warned, “My plane is losing control.”
The aircraft disappeared from radar shortly after and reappeared while attempting to land in Aktau, Kazakhstan, after a harrowing 37 minutes of uncertainty. Reports suggest that the missile strike occurred approximately 18 kilometers (11 miles) north of Grozny airport, at an altitude of 2,400 meters (7,875 feet).
The Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, known for its connections to Russian security services, indicated that air defense teams loyal to Kadyrov may have been involved in the incident. The channel reported that the damage sustained by the plane was consistent with a missile explosion near the aircraft, rather than a bird strike.
As investigations unfold, this tragedy raises urgent questions about the effectiveness and safety of military air defense systems in civilian airspace. With mounting pressure on the Russian government to provide accountability, further updates are expected in the coming days.
Stay tuned for more developments as this story continues to evolve.
