Terror in central Asia

Drone attack Grozny

Azerbaijan Airlines earlier announced the suspension of flights to several Russian cities

BAKU, December 27. /TASS/. Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), the operator of the plane that crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau earlier this week, stated that ‘mechanical and technical external damage’ was responsible for the aircraft’s crash, according to the airline’s operator’s statement.

"A decision [to suspend flights to a number of Russian cities from Baku], made in coordination with the State Civil Aviation Agency of Azerbaijan, is based on the preliminary findings of the investigation into the crash of the Embraer 190 aircraft operating flight J2-8243 Baku - Grozny due to physical and mechanical external impacts and takes into account potential flight security risks," the statement reads.

Azerbaijan Airlines earlier announced the suspension of flights to several Russian cities.

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) announced the suspension of its flights to three more Russian cities - Vladikavkaz, Nizhny Novgorod, and Saratov, following an earlier announced ban for flights across the country.

The Azerbaijani airline company reported earlier that it suspended all of its scheduled flights to Volgograd, Grozny, Makhachkala, Mineralnye Vody, Samara, Sochi, and Ufa until the investigation of the Embraer 190 plane crash is over. TASS

Vladimir Putin apologised for the fact that the incident happened in Russian airspace, once again offered deep and sincere condolences to the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. It was noted during the conversation that the Azerbaijani passenger airliner was flying according to schedule and repeatedly tried to land at Grozny Airport. At that time, Ukrainian unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) attacked Grozny, Mozdok and Vladikavkaz, and Russian air defence systems were repelling these attacks.

The Russian Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case under Article 263 of the Criminal Code (violation of the rules for traffic safety and operation of the air transportation systems). Initial investigation is underway, with authorities questioning civilian and military specialists.

Two officials from the Prosecutor General’s Office of Azerbaijan are currently in Grozny, working together with representatives of the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. Relevant services of Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are working closely at the crash site near the city of Aktau. TASS

Of course, the MSM are interpreting all this as confirmation of their theory that the Russians shot down the airliner with a Pantsir missile- which is unlikely given that a hit by a Pantsir missile would have brought down the airliner right over Grozny – but, as Andrei Martyanov points out, the airliner instead flew 400 kilometers back to Azerbaijan before crash landing.

Still, if the airliner WAS hit by an malfunctioning AD missile during a terrorist Ukrainian drone attack shouldn’t the press be blaming the Ukrainians/

What are we to make of this ?

Not “passing the buck”

First, Putin phoned the Azerbaijani president on his own accord.

His apology was a principled recognition that countries must take a measure of responsibility for incidents affecting commercial travel in their airspace – whatever the cause. It’s a version of the famous “the buck stops here”, supposedly coined by Harry Truman but actually poker slang and sent to him by a reformatory guard in Missouri. Truman reinterpreted to mean that only the President gets to make big decisions.

It really means taking responsibility — as opposed to passing the “buck” . I don’t recall Harry taking responsibility for all the innocents slaughtered in the A Bomb attacks.

Putin doesn’t “pass the buck”.

Russia likely didn’t cause the crash — but as Head of State Putin has to find out how to prevent such accidents. People died. The media don’t care— just try to exploit tragedy. Putin cares and will try do do something.

When in doubt, blame Putin.

Terrorism

Second, the Azerbaijanis say the accident was due was “external and mechanical”damage – which could mean any number of things including bird strike, a bomb, a drone, or a MANPAD – the last three being terrorism..

For now, the Azerbaijanis don’t think that Russian airspace is safe so are canceling sites to some – but not all cities.

You can forget the Pantsir theory. My “sources” which I cannot reveal because they don’t exist, suggest that the Pantsir story originated with the CIA. Terrorism makes a better explanation. Ukrainian MANPADS are all over central Asia these days.

Investigations

But there are two investigations going on. One in Russia. One in Azerbaijan. The MSM don’t investigate - anything.

That said, we may never know lwhat happened. This is too often the case with airline crashes.

All that aside, the incident tells us something about Putin’s mentality — his values, his sense of responsibility, and his essential honest.

How does Biden compare? Trump? Macron? Starmer? Trudeau? Need I go on?

Russia and BRICS are winning the war against the West. American financed and directed terrorism — drones, bombs, MANPADs, and the like — a sign that the West is losing.

Each act of terror strengthens the 9 member SCO and Russia’s position as a leader in the Heartland.

2025 Coming

But Now What?

Come, children, gather round my knee;

Something is about to be.

Tonight’s December thirty-first,

Something is about to burst.

The clock is crouching, dark and small,

Like a time bomb in the hall.

Hark! It’s midnight, children dear.

Duck! Here comes another year. Ogden Nash.

VERY cold here in Tokyo! Chappy getting friendlier—and trying to talk to Ichi — meow, meow, meow. Ichi stays at the top of his tree, saying catty things about “fuckin’” teenagers.

Still catching up on messages to coffeebuyers and working on the Special Article — no Xmas or New Year’s celebrations for me until I finish!

Buy me and Chappy and Ichi a coffee here!