As per reports, the latest situational updates on the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near Aktau in Kazakhstan as of Friday (27 December) are as follows:

• The Kazakh Transport Minister; Marat Karabayev has reportedly confirmed that out of 67 people who were aboard the Embraer 190 jet, 38 passengers have been confirmed dead, leaving 29 survivors.
• Additionally, the Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister (PM); Kanat Bozumbayev confirmed that the aircraft’s black box has been recovered, and investigations are underway. A special committee, appointed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, is overseeing the inquiry. Emergency services, forensic teams, and prosecutors are working at the crash site, with around 490 personnel, 97 pieces of equipment, two aircraft, and ten canine teams assisting in the operation.
• Aviation experts and authorities in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia have reportedly launched criminal investigations, with preliminary reports suggesting altitude control issues and potential radar jamming or spoofing near Grozny. Flight tracking data showed inconsistencies, with images revealing “puncture damage” to the aircraft. Further, Osprey Flight Solutions suggested the plane might have been mistakenly struck by Russian air defenses during a period of drone activity in the region. However, Russian officials, including Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, urged patience until investigations conclude, including Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev who also refrained from speculating, emphasizing the need for thorough investigations.
• Azerbaijan Airlines has temporarily suspended flights from Baku to Grozny and Makhachkala until investigations conclude.