Bastrykin arrived in Grozny to investigate the crash of the AZAL plane

Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of Russia’s Investigative Committee (SKR), arrived in Grozny on Sunday to oversee the investigation into the December 25 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane in Kazakhstan. The case has been transferred to the SKR's Main Investigative Directorate, the committee confirmed.

The crash, which claimed 38 lives and left 29 survivors, has prompted a criminal investigation under Article 263 of the Russian Criminal Code, which pertains to violations of air transport safety regulations. Previously, the case was under the jurisdiction of the SKR’s transport division.

During a meeting in Grozny, Bastrykin was briefed on the progress of the investigation. Authorities have established a task force, including aviation experts experienced in handling air crash investigations.

Sources within Azerbaijan’s government have alleged that a Russian surface-to-air missile caused the crash. According to the sources, the missile was fired during an air defense operation targeting Ukrainian drones over Chechnya. The explosion reportedly occurred near the AZAL flight, and shrapnel struck the aircraft, injuring passengers and crew.

The damaged plane, operating as flight 8432, was allegedly denied emergency landing clearance at Russian airports. Pilots were instructed to fly across the Caspian Sea toward Aktau, Kazakhstan. Sources further claim that the plane's GPS navigation systems were jammed during its flight over the sea.

Azerbaijani officials identified the weapon as a "Pantsir-S" air defense missile. Meanwhile, Russian military sources confirmed active air defense operations against Ukrainian drones in the region at the time of the incident but did not acknowledge any connection to the crash.

Kazakh authorities have released details about the passengers and crew aboard the ill-fated flight. Of the 67 people onboard, including five crew members, 38 perished while 29 survived.

Kazakhstan’s Transport Minister Marat Karabayev, speaking at a briefing in Aktau, provided a breakdown of the victims:

• Azerbaijan: 37 passengers, including 23 fatalities and 14 survivors.
• Russia: 16 passengers, with 7 fatalities and 9 survivors.
• Kyrgyzstan: 3 passengers, all of whom survived.
• Kazakhstan: 6 passengers, all of whom perished.

The tragedy has raised tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia. Azerbaijan is demanding transparency and accountability, while Russia has yet to comment on the missile allegations. Investigators from Kazakhstan and Russia, along with international experts, are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.