A preliminary report released Tuesday by the Kazakh government indicates that 'external objects' likely caused damage to an Azerbaijani passenger plane that crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan on December 25, resulting in 38 fatalities.

The aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, crashed after being diverted across the Caspian Sea from southern Russia. The incident has sparked international attention and raised questions about the circumstances leading to the tragedy.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev made a significant claim on December 29, stating that the plane had been damaged by accidental shooting from the ground in Russia. However, Moscow has not confirmed these allegations, maintaining silence on the specific cause of the external damage.

The Kazakh Transport Ministry's investigation revealed evidence of puncture damage, with photographs showing foreign metal objects in the tail section of the aircraft. The investigation continues as the flight's black boxes have been sent to Brazil for detailed analysis.

The incident has created diplomatic tension, with Azerbaijan calling for accountability while Russian authorities have opened a criminal case into the matter. The investigation remains ongoing with international expert assistance to determine the precise cause of the crash.