Turkey says it shot down the Russian war-plane because it crossed into its airspace from Syria despite repeated warnings. Russia will station the cruiser Moskva offshore near the country’s Syrian base in Latakia, and its air-defense system will provide cover for Russian planes in the area, the ministry said.
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Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov cancelled a visit to Turkey planned for Wednesday.
Along with a second plane, the aircraft had flown more than a mile into Turkey for 17 seconds, despite being warned 10 times in five minutes while approaching to change direction, the letter said.
“Relations have been very strained between Russian Federation and Turkey of late, so Moscow will be trying its utmost to contain the damage this might cause”, said Natasha Kuhrt, a lecturer in global peace and security at King’s College London.
At the time, two pilots managed to eject from the jet and were seen landing with the help of parachutes.
The chances of war between Russian Federation and Turkey – which has the might of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation behind it – are now “most likely”, claimed one of Moscow’s most respected military analysts.
The news comes on the heels of a dispute between Russia and Turkey after the latter shot down a Russian fighter jet it claimed had violated its airspace.
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed late Tuesday that one fighter pilot had been killed by ground fire and that a marine deployed on the search-and-rescue helicopter died but that the rest of the crew escaped. The aircraft was shot down “in lines with the rules of engagement”, according to a statement by the Turkish military.
President Vladimir Putin has warned Ankara that Turkey’s downing of a Russian warplane on the Syrian border would have “serious consequences” for ties. Turkish military said the Russian plane entered the country’s airspace over Yayladagi, a stretch of territory in Turkey’s southern region.
“At this time, we can confirm that United States forces were not involved in this incident”.
She played down suggestions that the incident might have an impact on Mr Cameron’s effort to secure parliamentary approval to commit RAF planes to bombing missions against the Islamic State terror group – also known as Isil or Isis – in Syria.
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“Everyone must know that it is our worldwide right and national duty to take any measure against whoever violates our air or land borders”, Davutoglu said in Ankara.
