A recent incident reported via a Telegram news channel describes a Russian airline plane making an emergency landing in Samarkand. The flight had previously traveled from Bangkok to Moscow when a confrontation erupted aboard, prompted by a pregnant passenger experiencing a medical crisis and concerns over her safety. The event prompted the crew to reassess the situation and prioritize passenger well-being in real time.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the altercation began when an economy passenger asserted a high level of importance and demanded special treatment. According to the channel Puree, the individual presented himself as the “son of the governor” of Krasnoyarsk Territory, but the claim was soon disputed. It was later noted that the real Alexander Uss was serving a sentence in Italy, which undermined the impersonation. The on-board conflict escalated after a flight attendant refused to grant VIP privileges, leading to a physical confrontation in which the passenger allegedly pushed the flight attendant, causing a minor head injury and distress among the cabin crew and travelers.
To prevent further harm, nearby passengers restrained the individual until the situation could be managed by the crew. Another pregnant passenger became unwell amid the disruption, prompting the crew to seek a controlled landing rather than risk a medical emergency in flight. The decision was made to divert to the closest suitable airport, which turned out to be Samarkand International Airport, where the plane touched down under heightened security measures.
After landing, local police took the two involved parties into custody, and medical staff moved a 36-year-old pregnant passenger to a maternity facility for precautionary observation. Reportedly, a thorough search of the accompanying luggage took about an hour before the passengers were cleared by authorities to continue their journey. A source indicated that the crew and security teams were conducting a careful review of the flight’s condition and passenger safety protocols following the incident.
Passengers described a tense arrival, with restrictions on exiting the aircraft for a period after touchdown as authorities conducted checks. It was later publicized that a separate technical issue related to the aircraft’s onboard toilets affected its ability to depart again promptly, compounding the disruption for travelers awaiting onward connections.
As the situation stabilized, travelers received assurances that accommodations would be arranged at a hotel, and plans were made for reassignment to Moscow on a subsequent aircraft. This sequence of events follows broader travel disruptions observed in prior days, as some flights faced cancellations or delays in other regions due to operational and technical factors. Officials stressed that safety remained the priority and that the airline would review the incident to prevent recurrence. According to ongoing reports from the time, a number of flights in the United States had experienced cancellations and rescheduling in the preceding day due to system faults and operational challenges, illustrating a broader context of travel volatility during the period. [Citation: Telegram channel report; corroborating accounts from eyewitnesses and authorities]