This incident has the potential to be extraordinarily damaging, but Russian Federation is unlikely to want to start a major conflict with Turkey, a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member, over an incident like this that could technically be blamed on this jet straying according to the Turkish into the wrong territory, Walsh said.
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Russian Federation said the incident was a “navigational error” and that it had “clarified” the matter.
“A Russian Su-24 plane was downed under the rules of engagement because it violated the Turkish airspace despite the warnings”, the Turkish presidency said.
Natasha Kuhrt, lecturer in global Peace and Security at King’s College London, said Russian television reports “have mainly been blaming the anti-Assad rebels inside Syria, and not mentioning Turkey at all”.
“At this time, we can confirm that USA forces were not involved in this incident”.
The pilots parachuted and have not had contact with Moscow since, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
The video, which has not been independently verified, appeared to show Syrian rebel fighters standing around the body and chanting “Allahu Akbar”.
The Russian ministry said the fate of the pilots was not yet clear. Turkey urged Russian Federation not to repeat the violation or it would be held “responsible for any undesired incident that may occur”.
But Kearns said the Russian-Turkish economic relationship, including in the energy field, is important to Moscow. Ambassador Andrey Karlov was warned during the meeting that the Russian operations could lead to serious consequences, the ministry said.
Russian Federation and Turkey have other conflicting interests in Syria. The creation of a safe zone has been a long-term Turkish goal.
In a statement on its website, the Turkish General Staff said a “warplane of unknown nationality” breached Turkish airspace over Yayladagi, Hatay province, which borders northwest Syria.
Syrian activists claim one of the pilots was dead on landing. One died, Ahmad told The Associated Press.
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The military also claimed the aircraft had been warned at least 10 times over a period of five minutes before two Turkish F-16 fighter jets shot it down, RT reported. A Syrian military source said the reported downing was being investigated and Russia’s defense ministry was not immediately available for comment. In addition, they are protected by the military of an entire nation.
