On December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijani Airlines Embraer 190 plane was shot down by a Russian surface-to-air missile while flying from Baku to Grozny, resulting in 38 fatalities and 29 survivors. The crash occurred near Aktau, Kazakhstan, as the aircraft attempted to land in Grozny amidst explosions outside. Survivors indicated that the plane was misidentified as a Ukrainian drone due to recent drone attacks in Grozny. US intelligence has suggested that Russia may have mistakenly shot down the plane, misidentifying it as a drone, according to two unidentified US military sources reported by MSNBC. Survivors reported hearing bangs before the plane went down, adding to the confusion surrounding the incident. Andriy Kovalenko from Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council stated that Russia failed to close the airspace over Grozny, contributing to the incident. This tragic event echoes a history of Russian involvement in downing civilian aircraft, including the notorious 2014 MH17 incident, which has left families mourning and seeking justice for their lost loved ones.
The downing of MH17, which occurred on July 17, 2014, saw Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 shot down by pro-Russian separatists over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. The international investigation concluded that the plane was brought down by a Russian-made BUK missile. In 2019, four individuals were charged with murder, and in November 2022, a Dutch court convicted three of them in absentia, sentencing them to life in prison. However, Russia has denied any involvement and dismissed the court's verdict as politically motivated. The investigation into MH17 has faced setbacks, with Dutch authorities suspending their work in 2023 due to insufficient evidence to prosecute more suspects.
As the families of MH17 victims gathered to mourn the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, they expressed their ongoing pain and frustration over the lack of justice. A memorial event was held near Schiphol airport, where the names of the victims were read aloud. The event highlighted the international community's call for accountability, with the Netherlands and Ukraine taking their case against Russia to the European Court of Human Rights. However, the recent downing of the Azerbaijani plane raises further concerns about air safety in conflict zones and the implications of military actions on civilian lives. The families of the victims of both tragedies continue to seek justice and recognition, feeling that the world has forgotten their losses.
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