Survivors and relatives are seeking justice as the first anniversary approaches of the Azerbaijan Airlines crash that killed 38 people after a Russian air defence missile struck next to it mid-flight, causing critical damage.

Axar.az informs, citing Euronews, as the Azerbaijan Airlines crash that killed 38 nears its one-year anniversary, survivors and families of victims continue to seek justice while the investigation remains ongoing.

On 25 December 2024, 38 people died and 29 others were injured when Flight 8432 crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan while en route from Baku to the Russian city of Grozny.

After it emerged that a Russian air defence missile over Grozny caused the crash, the Kremlin initially denied involvement.

However, Baku and President Ilham Aliyev maintained Moscow's responsibility based on the results of initial investigations and witness testimonies, until Russian President Vladimir Putin finally admitted its role in the crash in October of this year.

The incident was the first aviation disaster of this magnitude in the airline's history, with the heroics of the pilots, both of whom were killed in the incident, preventing a bigger death toll.