Why in the News?
An Embraer 190 aircraft crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 people.
The plane was en route from Baku (Azerbaijan) to Grozny (Russia).
Initially suspected to be a bird strike, but increasing evidence suggests it was hit by a Russian anti-drone missile meant for Ukrainian drones.
The plane continued flying, crossing the Caspian Sea despite severe damage, suggesting it was still airborne after the attack.
Dangers of Flying Over War Zones
Reports indicate damage to the plane's control systems, explaining erratic flight paths.
The plane was denied landing at nearby airports despite international norms allowing landing for damaged planes.
Azerbaijan, Brazil (Embraer), and Russia will be part of a multi-stakeholder investigation.
Black box data (Cockpit Voice Recorder, Digital Flight Data Recorder) will provide crucial information.
Azerbaijani and U.S. officials blame Russian air defenses, possibly responding to a Ukrainian drone attack.
Russian President Putin apologized to Azerbaijan but stopped short of taking full responsibility, avoiding an admission of direct involvement.
The incident highlights how drones (both for strikes and surveillance) have become key weapons in modern warfare, affecting areas far from the frontlines, causing collateral damage.
The crash underscores the risks of military actions in the region and the need for de-escalation.
A solution depends heavily on Moscow ending its invasion of Ukraine and limiting NATO's expansion.
Failure to de-escalate could result in more innocent lives lost and the potential for more regional actors being drawn into the conflict.
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