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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Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was carrying out tests on a new weapon to intercept drones and had recorded a successful hit overnight.
Russian air strikes injured 13 and damaged buildings in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and in the Black Sea port city of Odesa in the early hours of Thursday, officials said on the Telegram messaging app.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is outlining the EU's priorities in her annual State of the Union address, covering security, support for Ukraine, trade with China, migration, climate and artificial intelligence.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he hoped the war against Iran was nearing its end and that Tehran wanted to reach a deal, but Iran dismissed his comments as “mixed signals” as the conflict approaches its seventh month.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said a Togo-flagged oil tanker was struck while attempting to make an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said early on Friday.
Azerbaijan is examining the use of digital technologies to document and protect historical and religious monuments, particularly sites in the liberated territories.
Pakistan and India have lodged protests against each other after their respective naval vessels collided in the North Arabian Sea.
Six months after the strikes that killed his father and left him seriously wounded, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has remained absent from public view, raising questions over his condition, his ability to govern and how power is being exercised behind the scenes.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described his visit this week to Beijing as “successful", emphasising the significance of Tehran’s strategic partnership with Beijing.
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