New Evidence Suggests Russian Missile Downed Azerbaijan Airlines Flight

A recently observed geological phenomenon known as a 'ghost island' has emerged off the coast of Azerbaijan, attributed to the submarine mud volcano Kumani Bank. This island formed approximately 15 miles from the eastern shore, first appearing in early 2023 before briefly growing to about 400 meters in width. By late 2024, the island had diminished to just one-quarter of its maximum size, according to satellite imagery released by NASA. Mud volcanoes, while less explosive than traditional volcanoes, can create significant changes in landscape and are prevalent in regions near tectonic plate boundaries like Azerbaijan. The country is home to roughly 300 mud volcanoes, which collectively contribute to its title as the world capital of mud volcanoes. Geologist Mark Tingay from the University of Adelaide commented on the surprise of suddenly seeing an island rise from the sea. These mud volcano eruptions occur when gas trapped beneath the Earth's surface builds up pressure before breaking through. While they're often quieter events, they can lead to dramatic changes in the environment, including the formation of temporary islands. NASA has documented the developments of Kumani Bank over time, noting that previous eruptions have led to the creation of even larger islands in the past, with the largest recorded being 700 meters across.

Azerbaijan is escalating tensions with Russia following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, which resulted in the tragic loss of 38 lives. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has adamantly stated that the plane was shot down from the ground as it approached its landing zone in Grozny, Russia. While the Kremlin has acknowledged air defense operations were underway, it has refrained from admitting any involvement in the incident. Aliyev has criticized Moscow for what he describes as a "concealment" of the true causes surrounding the crash and has called for an impartial investigation into the matter. The Armenian leader has expressed discontent over the handling of the situation, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice for the victims. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that Russian experts are cooperating fully with the investigation and expressed a desire for a thorough and objective inquiry into the catastrophe. However, despite calls for acknowledgment of responsibility, Moscow has not publicly accepted blame for the shooting down of the aircraft. In a series of phone calls made to Aliyev following the disaster, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed regret over the incident occurring in Russian airspace but did not concede responsibility. Azerbaijani authorities have reportedly found evidence supporting claims that the aircraft was struck by a missile from the Russian air defenses, leading to increasing calls for accountability from Baku.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has escalated rhetoric against Armenia, calling its leadership a "source of threat" and labeling the state as "essentially fascist." These comments were made in a televised interview, suggesting that "fascism must be eradicated" either by Armenia's leadership or by Azerbaijan. This statement raises concerns about the potential for renewed conflict between the two nations, which have a long history of hostilities over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia, which lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan in September 2023, has seen the majority of its Armenian population flee to Armenian territory as a result of the conflict. Both countries are currently attempting to negotiate a peace treaty. However, Aliyev's recent comments have been met with a warning from Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who accused Baku of seeking to justify further escalation in the region. While both sides express a desire to finalize a treaty, significant tensions persist, including Armenia's rearming efforts and Azerbaijan's demands for constitutional changes in Armenia that would remove claims to Azerbaijani territory. Peace talks have been hindered by a lack of formal diplomatic ties and a heavily militarized border. Despite the harsh language, Aliyev stated his desire to avoid further war, despite previous indications of Azerbaijan's territorial claims on parts of Armenia.