It diverted to Aktau after getting hit (by birds allegedly, but really - SAM). A...

brnt · 2024-12-25T23:31:53 1735169513

Why that far? It's at least twice further from either beginning or destination than those are apart themselves.

appreciatorBus · 2024-12-26T00:32:08 1735173128

If the pilots were aware that they had been hit by anti-aircraft defenses, and that they were in at least partial control of the aircraft, they might have concluded they were better off getting as far away as possible, just in case the AA operators try again.

wat10000 · 2024-12-25T23:44:06 1735170246

Seems like the plane was barely controllable. That may have just been the direction they were able to maintain.

dilyevsky · 2024-12-25T23:41:58 1735170118

If it got hit over Makhachkala it’s closer to Aktau - just over the Caspian. Maybe it’s easier to land there with busted controls too

rasz · 2024-12-27T07:11:18 1735283478

So it crashed into the sea leaving no evidence or live witnesses.