Azerbaijan is preparing to take legal action against Russia following the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines' Embraer 190, flight 8243, near Aktau, Kazakhstan. The incident in December last year resulted in the death of 38 people. Azerbaijani authorities have alleged that a Russian missile system was responsible for bringing down the aircraft.
President Ilham Aliyev confirmed that his government is moving forward with legal proceedings due to a lack of response from Russian authorities. He stated, "We won’t forget. Now we are preparing a dossier for submission to international courts in this matter. We understand that it may take time… we’re ready to wait ten years, but justice must prevail."
The Embraer 190, registered as 4K-AZ65, was en route from Baku to Grozny on December 25, 2024. As it entered Russian airspace and approached Grozny Airport, it was struck by foreign metal objects causing severe damage. The crew attempted an emergency landing in Aktau but lost control due to hydraulic failure.