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.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Iran's security chief Ali Larijani was killed in ta...
A survivor of the air strike on a Kabul drug rehabilitation centre described scenes of devastation, saying patients w...
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has said the country’s military killed two of Iran’s most senior security figu...
More than 400 people were killed and around 250 injured in an air strike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul late on Monday, Afghan official...
Kazakhstan’Kazakhstan’s lower house has approved plans for a green energy corridor with Azerbaijan and Uz...
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Iran's security chief Ali Larijani was killed in targeted strikes on the country.
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Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Iran's security chief Ali Larijani was killed in targeted strikes on the country.
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