Summary

A preliminary investigation by Azerbaijan suggests that a Russian Pantsir-S air defense system mistakenly downed Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, killing 38 people near Aktau, Kazakhstan.

The plane reportedly veered off course after experiencing GPS jamming over southern Russia, a region where Russian air defenses frequently target Ukrainian drones.

Shrapnel damage on the wreckage supports the claim of anti-aircraft fire.

Azerbaijan has urged Russia to acknowledge responsibility, while Russia has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.