The 8432 Flight from Azerbaijan to Grozny was most likely shot down by a missile. Experts have reached this conclusion after studying a transcript of the pilot's conversation with dispatchers, published in Russia, and analyzing the video footage.

Axar.az reports that citing Repоrt, this was mentioned in an article published in the British newspaper The Times.

"The pilots of the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer fought against great odds to steer their stricken jet to a crash-landing, using only engine thrust after losing all flight controls," the article states.

"Video from before and after the crash indicate that shrapnel had penetrated the rear of the aircraft, putting out of action all three of the parallel hydraulic systems that move the control surfaces on the wings and tail of the aircraft,” aviation experts said.

The transcript of the conversation between the pilots and the dispatchers in Grozny reveals that they initially thought the "impact" was caused by a bird collision due to extremely poor visibility, and informed about it when leaving the Chechen city.