For context: Baku to Grozny is 500 km along the coast. Grozny to Aktau is 450 km over the Caspian Sea.<p>That the crippled plane was diverted to Aktau in the hope it would vanish into the sea weighs heavy in the article. I wonder what the real story is. Because I can't think that this plan was on the operator's mind. I also know I'm too naive sometimes.
[dupe] more discussion: <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42511267">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42511267</a>
The things Russia did to avoid responsibility and push them out of Russian airspace is insane. After shooting the plane Russia denied the plane from landing in three different Russian airports.<p><a href="https://caliber.az/en/post/preliminary-investigation-azal-aircraft-shot-down-by-russian-air-defence" rel="nofollow">https://caliber.az/en/post/preliminary-investigation-azal-ai...</a>
This seems plausible, but does anyone have any information on the reliability of this particular news source and/or confirmation from other sources?