Plane crash in Kazakhstan: An expert explains how Russians might have downed the aircraft.

Russians might have targeted the Embraer 190 aircraft of AZAL, which crashed in Kazakhstan, using the "Pantsir" system. These anti-aircraft missile-gun complexes were sent to Chechnya just the day before.

This was discussed by aviation expert Konstantin Krivolap in a comment to the RBK-Ukraine YouTube channel.

"Well, it was definitely not birds. I noticed two sizes of impact holes. Most likely, this could be missiles from the 'Pantsir.' But the 'Pantsir' is an artillery missile complex, and it can engage both types. It seems to me that it struck with both," the expert stated.

He reminded that just a few days before the aviation disaster, Chechnya's head, Ramzan Kadyrov, requested the 'Pantsir' anti-aircraft system from dictator Vladimir Putin. According to Krivolap, these systems were positioned near the airfield in Grozny, from where the aircraft was downed.

The expert also noted that the 'Pantsir' complex has an automatic target engagement mode. The operator can adjust its actions, but this requires practice in coordination.

"There is also an automatic mode designed for situations where many targets are approaching from different directions. The operator can intervene to select which target is more significant. Essentially, the system itself chooses what to shoot down, but the operator can intervene. However, training is necessary to develop the interaction between the machine and the human, and there wasn't time for that. Whatever button was pressed, that was what was executed, and whatever was hit, that’s what was hit," Krivolap explained.

Aviation Disaster in Kazakhstan

On December 25, a passenger Embraer 190 aircraft of AZAL crashed in Kazakhstan. There were 67 people on board. According to the latest information, 38 people died as a result of the accident.

The Azerbaijani airline's plane was flying from Baku to Grozny. Reports indicate that in Grozny, where drones had previously been shot down, the aircraft was targeted, preventing it from landing. Consequently, the Embraer 190 crashed near the city of Aktau.

Initially, it was claimed that the aircraft crashed due to a collision with a flock of birds. However, images surfaced showing debris from the aircraft, which displayed signs of anti-aircraft missile impacts.

As reported by Euronews, Azerbaijan confirmed that a Russian missile was the cause of the aviation disaster.