Turkish F-16 jet shot down a Russian warplane on Tuesday morning, the first time a Nato country and Moscow have exchanged direct fire.
Putin has said that an attack was carried out by the accomplices of terrorists. said the plane had been shot down over Syrian airspace and fell 4km inside Syria. Putin said it was “obvious” the plane posed no threat to Turkey.
“Our military is doing heroic work against terrorism … But the loss today is a stab in the back, carried out by the accomplices of terrorists. I can’t describe it in any other way,” he said. Putin suggested the Turks were shielding Islamic State.
The Turkish military said it scrambled two F-16 fighter jets after a plane entered Turkish airspace in the province of Hatay at 9.20am on Tuesday, warning it to leave 10 times in five minutes before shooting it down.
A government official said: “In line with the military rules of engagement, the Turkish authorities repeatedly warned an unidentified aircraft that they were 15km or less away from the border. The aircraft didn’t heed the warnings and proceeded to fly over Turkey. The Turkish air forces responded by downing the aircraft.”
There were reports that both pilots were killed after parachuting from the jet.
Nato has confirmed it will hold an extraordinary council meeting on Turkey’s request. Here’s its statement:
At the request of Turkey, the North Atlantic Council will hold an extraordinary meeting at 17.00 (Brussels time). The aim of this extraordinary NAC meeting is for Turkey to inform allies about the downing of a Russian airplane. Nato is monitoring the situation closely. We are in close contact with Turkish authorities.
It pointed out that the meeting would not fall under the article 4 of the Washington treaty under which Nato member discuss a threat to territorial integrity, political independence or security. A spokesman said: “The fact that this is not an Article 4 meeting but purely one for information, suggests that Turkey and Nato want to make sure this does not escalate out of control.”
Lavrov cancels planned visit to Turkey
No great surprise this, but Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has cancelled a planned visit to Turkey.
Lavrov was due to visit Ankara on Wednesday for bilateral talks. Turkish officials had insited it would go ahead as planned.
In short this was what has happened and the main questions are
Is this a sabotage of Russian efforts to defeat ISIS?
Is this just a step to slow things down ?
Is Russia stilling all the glory and portraying itself as a defender of humanity ?
Is Russia destroying ISIS the only one liable source of fruitful conflict ?
Is this just a situation that can push Russia into world wide conflict ?
Are we seeing the beginning development of future wide conflict ?
Why the reactions from the US government in last couple of day are scarse especially when it comes about the topic ” Russia striking ISIS” ?
Why is there no reaction from US about downing a Russian plane ?
Is this is just a stupid mistake that government of Turkey has done in a wrong place in wrong time to a wrong plane ?
TBU NEWS is not going to answer these questions for you but you should answer them by yourself.
Best Regards
TBU NEWS
