Despite the fact that many months have passed since the tragedy, Russia stubbornly refuses to admit guilt for the downed AZAL plane. Those responsible for this catastrophe have not yet been punished: they continue to serve, and some have even received promotions.
According to Minval Politika, the missile was launched under the direct authorisation of Major General Alexander Tolopilo - commander of the 51st Air Defence Division of the Russian Aerospace Forces, with his subordinates Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Orlyansky, Captain Dmitry Paladichuk, Captain Dmitry Pudovkin, Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Yanovsky, and Colonel Gennady Eremenko all playing key roles.
As a result of the attack, the airliner was forced to make an emergency landing in Aktau. 38 people out of 67 on board were killed.
According to Minval Politika, the 'Pantsir' crew was technically and organisationally unprepared, preventing them from recognising the civilian aircraft in time. Despite this failure, Tolopilo faced no consequences and was instead promoted, becoming deputy commander of the 11th Guards Army of the Air Force and Air Defence in the Eastern Military District.
Yet Tolopilo's record is far from spotless. His service history contains incidents that could be considered official misconduct, but none were punished.
One of the most notable occurred on 8 June, 2024, when, due to the negligence of Tolopilo and his subordinates in the 51st Air Defense Division, a Su-57 fighter jet, one of Russia's most expensive and prestigious aircraft was damaged during a Ukrainian drone attack.
In addition, civilian personnel were injured at the airfield of the 929th Chkalov State Flight Test Center in the Akhtubinsky district of the Astrakhan region.
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One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a fresh attack on Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities reported, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow his country to hold presidential elections, saying it wanted an overall peace deal instead.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Georgia and Uzbekistan are aiming to nearly quadruple annual trade to $1 billion, up from $267.6 million in 2025, as the two countries seek to strengthen economic ties and expand transport links.
Iran has warned against the military use of Starlink, saying it has developed domestic technology capable of countering cyber threats linked to the satellite internet service.
Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of blaming Kabul for its domestic political and security problems, as Islamabad repeated claims that militants are using Afghan territory to launch attacks across the border.
Pakistan has called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to crack down on militants operating from Afghan territory, warning that cross-border attacks pose a growing threat to regional security.
Saudi Arabia has vowed to remain resilient after a wave of Houthi missile and drone attacks killed around 20 people at Riyadh's main airport, raising concerns over the kingdom's air defences and disrupting flights across the region.
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