Survivor of Azerbaijan Airlines Crash Shares Video

Subkhon Rakhimov, a passenger on the ill-fated Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, miraculously survived the crash on December 25, 2024, which resulted in 38 fatalities among the 67 passengers and crew. The Embraer 190 was believed to have been struck by a Russian air defense missile while attempting to land near Grozny, leading to chaos inside the cabin as Rakhimov recorded a heartfelt message for his wife amid panic. His footage, which captured the descent and the subsequent wreckage, has gone viral and serves as critical evidence in ongoing investigations into the crash, which Azerbaijani officials suspect was caused by a military missile rather than mechanical failure. Despite sustaining minor injuries, Rakhimov has expressed gratitude towards the flight attendants for their efforts during the emergency, while the Azerbaijani government has initiated an investigation into the incident. Russia has downplayed the missile speculation and urged patience as inquiries continue. President Ilham Aliyev declared a day of mourning for the victims and called for urgent measures to determine the causes of the disaster.