The U.S. and Ukraine believe that the passenger plane belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) might have been shot down by Russian air defense forces.

Axar.az reports, citing The Guardian, that this information is based on statements from officials of both countries. Meanwhile, Russia is reportedly avoiding addressing these claims.

On December 25, an AZAL Embraer aircraft flying from Baku to Grozny crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan.

Preliminary information suggests that the plane had been struck by a Russian "Pantsir S1" missile over Grozny, while its electronic systems were paralysed by radio-electronic warfare systems. After being denied landing permission at airports in Grozny, Makhachkala, and Mineralnye Vody, the aircraft headed to Aktau Airport.