(Newswire.net — November 24, 2015) –Turkey claims one of its F-16 downed Russian warplane after repeatedly warning pilots that they are violating Turkish air-space. Russian officials dispute that claim. A Kremlin spokesperson said to media that it is to early to draw conclusions; however, the situation is very serious, he said according to BBC.
Russians defense ministry claims that a Russian two-seater jet-bomber was downed from the ground, however, Turkish officials insist their military jet engaged the Russian warplane after allegedly warning the pilots ten times within five minutes to leave Turkish airspace.
The video captured from the ground the moment Russian SU-24 plunged from the sky in flames and hit the ground while two parachutes, presumably the Russian pilots, were spotted near the crash site.
According to some sources close to Russian government, the pilots were quickly surrounded and a shootout took place. The source say one pilot may have been killed on the spot, while another is believed to be captured. Russian rescue helicopters are sweeping the area but had no luck so far.
This is exactly the kind of incident that many have feared since Russia launched its operations in Syria, Jonathan Marcus, a BBC defense correspondent said. Turkish forces already shot down at least one Syrian military plane and possibly one helicopter as well, he added.
Since September, Russian air force conducted hundreds of missions against ISIS in Syria. While Russian officials claim they have targeted only known terrorists, Turkish authorities reputedly complain that Russians are mainly targeting pro-NATO rebels. Turkey is one of the largest opponent of Syria’s president.
Turkey is also the greatest opponent of the Russian involvement in Syria. Last month, Ankara said Turkish F-16s had intercepted a Russian jet that crossed its border and two Turkish jets had been harassed by an unidentified Mig-29. However, it is well known that Russian air force do not use Migs because lots of countries surrounding the Syria use these Russian jets in their air forces, and it could easily provoke an incident, such as one with this mysterious Mig-29.
The Russian ambassador to Turkey had been summoned last week and warned about “serious consequences” if Russian air forces did not immediately stop bombing “civilian Turkmen Villages,” BBC reported.
No one can say what will happen next. Both journalists and analysts agree that Russia has to respond to the loss of its bomber.