White House Claims Evidence Points to Russian Air Defense in Azerbaijan Airlines Crash

The White House has stated that evidence beyond publicly available photos indicates that an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane was brought down by a Russian air defense system, according to the White House National Security Advisor John Kirby, as reported by Ukrinform on December 27.

"We have observed some initial indications that strongly suggest this aircraft may have been shot down by Russian air defense systems," Kirby stated.

He did not provide further details.

On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flight crashed in Aktau, Kazakhstan. At least 38 people died in the plane crash.

On December 26, Azerbaijani government sources confirmed that the crash was likely caused by a Russian surface-to-air missile.