On December 25, an Embraer 190 passenger plane on a Baku-Grozny flight crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, with reports suggesting that a Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system shot it down.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Yuriy Husyev published an article via the Ukrainian Embassy in Azerbaijan, claiming that the Azerbaijani plane was deliberately targeted over Russian territory. While Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan's investigative bodies have yet to release official findings, footage and accounts from survivors indicated that the aircraft was downed on Russian soil, with allegations that Russian airports refused to accept the damaged aircraft.

Husyev stated, "On December 25, 2024, a tragedy shook the whole world. An Azerbaijan Airlines plane flying on the Baku-Grozny route crashed near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan. There were 67 people on board, of whom 29, including two children, survived thanks to the professional actions of the crew members." He highlighted December 26 as a day of mourning in Azerbaijan and emphasized the solidarity expressed by multiple diplomatic missions in Baku, including those of the US, EU, and Turkey.

The ambassador linked the incident to Russia's history of alleged state terrorism, citing the 2010 Smolensk crash involving Polish President Lech Kaczynski, the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, and Russia’s actions in Ukraine since 2014. Husyev stressed the need for global unity to hold Russia accountable and to establish long-term peace and security. He called for an impartial investigation into the crash, stating, "The names of those responsible for this tragedy are not only a matter of justice for the families of the victims but also a duty to future generations."

Unconfirmed reports from sources cited by Reuters and Euronews claimed that a Russian missile downed the Azerbaijani plane during a drone operation over Grozny. The aircraft was allegedly denied permission to land at Russian airports, forced to reroute over the Caspian Sea, and its navigation systems disabled. Azerbaijani publication Caliber.Az, believed to have ties to government circles, also reported that a Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system was responsible for the crash.