Baku: Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, which crashed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, killing 38 people, was reportedly brought down by a Russian air defence system, according to four sources familiar with the investigation who spoke to Reuters.

The flight, which was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan to Grozny in Russia's southern Chechnya region, was diverted hundreds of miles off its planned course after it encountered difficulties. The plane went down near the Kazakh city of Aktau, on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea. Russian aviation authorities initially suggested that the crash could have been caused by a bird strike, but the aircraft’s deviation from its route and the closure of a nearby Russian airport raised suspicions. The incident occurred shortly after Ukrainian drone strikes targeted Chechnya earlier in the month.

Preliminary findings from Azerbaijani officials indicated that the plane was likely hit by a Russian Pantsir-S air defence system, and its communications were reportedly disrupted by electronic warfare systems as it approached Grozny. One source close to the investigation stated: "While there’s no indication it was intentional, Baku expects Russia to acknowledge responsibility for the downing of the Azerbaijani aircraft."

Videos of the crash site, shared on social media and verified by Reuters, appeared to show damage consistent with shrapnel to the plane’s tail section. Osprey Flight Solutions, an aviation security firm, issued an alert, noting that the circumstances and the footage suggested the possibility that the plane had been struck by anti-aircraft fire. The firm pointed out that Russian air defences had been activated in response to Ukrainian drone strikes on the Dagestan and Chechnya regions in recent weeks.

Russia’s defence ministry had earlier reported downing 59 Ukrainian drones on the same day, including several in closed airspace along Ukraine’s border. In addition, flight data tracking showed signs of GPS jamming during the aircraft's flight over southwestern Russia, further indicating possible interference with the plane's systems.

NATO, based in Brussels, called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and victims of Azerbaijan Airlines flight J28243," said NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah. "We wish those injured a swift recovery and urge a full investigation into the incident."

Kazakhstan's senate chairman confirmed on Thursday that the cause of the crash remains unclear as authorities continue their probe.