A devastating plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, has claimed the lives of over 30 passengers, with Russia facing accusations of involvement. The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, en route from Azerbaijan to Russia, veered significantly off course, crashing on the opposite side of the Caspian Sea. Carrying 62 passengers and five crew members, the flight's deviation coincided with drone strikes in southern Russia, raising suspicions. While officials have not provided a definitive explanation for the altered flight path, nearby Russian airports had been closed due to drone activity.

The aftermath of the crash paints a grim picture, with images depicting the burning wreckage and injured survivors. Aviation security firm Osprey Flight Solutions suggests the aircraft may have been downed by a Russian air-defense system. This claim aligns with a statement from Ukrainian national security official Andriy Kovalenko, who also pointed fingers at Russia's defense systems. However, Russia's aviation authority attributes the incident to a possible bird strike.

The passenger manifest included 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russians, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyzstani nationals. Reports indicate both pilots perished in the crash. Survivors, including two children, have been hospitalized. Harrowing video footage captures the plane's rapid descent, subsequent explosion upon impact, and the resulting inferno. Bloodied survivors were seen escaping the remaining fuselage.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who was en route to Russia at the time, immediately returned home upon receiving the tragic news. He offered condolences to the victims' families and declared December 26th a national day of mourning. Azerbaijan Airlines has pledged to provide updates and expressed their profound sorrow for the loss of life.