Turkey warns Russian Federation over air space violation

Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Saturday that a Russian fighter jet – a SU-34 fighter-bomber – violated Turkish airspace on Friday at midday despite repeated warnings by Turkish air radar units in Russian and English.

Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov denied that there had been any violation of Turkey’s airspace, dismissing Ankara’s statements as “unsubstantiated propaganda”.

“This message was also communicated to NATO military alliance by extension because Turkey is a NATO member and its airspace is considered to be NATO space”, he added.

The BBC relates Turkey’s claim that the Su-34 crossed into their airspace at 11:46 local time Friday, ignoring radio warnings in both Russian and English. “All the statements of the Turkish side do not correspond to reality, diplomatically speaking”, the ministry said. Turkey says Russian airstrikes in Syria target rebel forces supported by Ankara, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations.

Turkish President Receb Tayeb Erdogan described the incident as an attempt to escalate tension in the region.

BRUSSELS/ISTANBUL, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) – NATO has called on Russia to act responsibly after Turkey summoned Russian ambassador to protest what it claimed a violation of its airspace by a Russian warplane.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry has claimed that their fighter jet did not violate Turkish airspace.

On January 29, Russian Aerospace Defence Forces in Syria violated the Turkish airspace. Previous incidents have shown how risky such behaviour is.

“If Russia continues the violations of Turkey’s sovereign rights, it will be forced to endure the consequences”, he added, saying he wanted to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after the incident.

“This is what we proceed from”, the press secretary said. “In the end there is no military solution to the conflict”, Kerry said in a televised statement.