Turkey issues stern warning to Russia after airspace violation
Tucson Post Sunday 31st January, 2016
• Turkey accuses that a Russian Su-34 bomber violated its airspace
• Moscow denies Turkey's accusation of air incursion
• Moscow says the allegations are proof-less propaganda
ANKARA, Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued a stern warning to Moscow claiming that it would be forced to "endure the consequences" if its jets continue to violate Turkish airspace.
Ankara had reported a new border infringement incident by a Russian plane and summoned Russia's ambassador to "strongly protest" the violation of its airspace by a Russian fighter jet. Turkey's Foreign Ministry pointed out that the incident involved a Russian Su-34. Several warnings in Russian and in English were allegedly sent to the jet. It was not clear where exactly the new infringement had occurred.
Speaking to the global media, President Erdogan said, "We regard this infringement which came despite all our warnings in Russian and in English as an effort by Russia to escalate the crisis in the region. If Russia continues the violations of Turkey's sovereign rights, it will be forced to endure the consequences."
Erdogan said he attempted to reach Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the issue but that the Russian leader did not respond. He added, "These irresponsible steps do not help the Russian Federation, NATO-Russia relations or regional and global peace. On the contrary they are detrimental."
Meanwhile, state news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti reported a statement by Russia's Defense Ministry spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov. He is said to have denied any violation of Turkey's airspace and called the Turkish statements "unsubstantiated propaganda." He argued that Ankara couldn't have determined which country the jet belonged to under the circumstances they described.
He emphasized that the airspace controlling radar stations that Turkey has can only determine the altitude, flight line, and speed of an aerial vehicle, but not its type or state affiliation. Also pointing out that to determine which country owns the jet requires visual contact from another aircraft adding that no visual contact had been reported.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged for "calm and de-escalation" in a statement saying, "Russia must take all necessary measures to ensure that such violations do not happen again. NATO stands in solidarity with Turkey and supports the territorial integrity of our ally, Turkey."
The incident comes merely two months after Turkey's military shot down a Russian jet for crossing over its territory, even though Russia maintained that the plane never entered Turkish airspace. One pilot and a Russian marine of the rescue party were killed in the incident. The Russian military had quickly sent missile systems to Syria and warned that it would fend off any threat to its aircraft. Moscow further punished Turkey by imposing an array of economic sanctions. The incident had strained the previously close ties between the two countries, damaging a strong economic partnership.