Azerbaijan Airlines suspends flights from Baku to Grozny and Makhachkala until the cause of today's crash is determined
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has suspended flights on the Baku-Grozny-Baku and Baku-Makhachkala-Baku routes until the investigation into the crash of the Embraer aircraft in Kazakhstan is completed. This was stated in a statement by the airline. It is also reported that flights to other destinations are carried out according to the regular schedule.
 
The AZAL website states that there are four flights a week from Baku to Makhachkala, and two flights a week to Grozny.
 
In the morning, a plane flying from Baku to Grozny crashed a few kilometers from Aktau in southwestern Kazakhstan. According to the Grozny airport, the cause was fog. The crash may also be associated with a collision of the plane with birds and an explosion of an oxygen cylinder. In addition, holes similar to traces of striking elements were also found on the skin of the crashed plane.
 
According to official data, there were 67 people on board the Embraer, including 5 crew members. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reports that there were 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 16 citizens of Russia, six citizens of Kazakhstan and three citizens of Kyrgyzstan on the plane.
 
According to the latest information, 32 people survived, including 10 Russians.
Последние новости
Medvedev predicts EU will reject Armenia’s membership bid, warns of rift with Russia
Politics
Medvedev predicts EU will reject Armenia’s membership bid, warns of rift with Russia
24 August 2026

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has commented on Armenia’s plans to begin preparing an application to join the European Union, saying Yerevan would ultimately fail to secure EU membership but could seriously damage its relations with Russia and other members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Former Georgian Prime Minister Faces New Corruption Charges Following Pressure Claim
Politics
Former Georgian Prime Minister Faces New Corruption Charges Following Pressure Claim
24 August 2026

Former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has been charged with new corruption. According to the prosecutor's office, the charges relate to the alleged conspiracy to accept a particularly large bribe by a group of individuals.

A friend of a missing Chechen woman faces up to 30 days in jail or a hefty fine for a picket in Grozny
Human rights
A friend of a missing Chechen woman faces up to 30 days in jail or a hefty fine for a picket in Grozny
24 August 2026

Lena Patyaeva, a friend of missing Chechen native Seda Suleimanova, was charged with an administrative offense after a solo picket in Grozny. She held the protest on August 23, the third anniversary of Suleimanova's disappearance. Under the charges against her, Patyaeva faces up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to 300,000 rubles.

Aliyev and Pashinyan congratulated Zelenskyy on Independence Day and assured of their support for Ukraine
Politics
Aliyev and Pashinyan congratulated Zelenskyy on Independence Day and assured of their support for Ukraine
24 August 2026

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan congratulated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Ukraine's Independence Day. In their messages, they expressed support for the country and outlined their vision for the future development of relations between Baku and Yerevan with Kyiv.