On Tuesday morning, two Russian Su-24 bombers took off from the base of the Russian air group in Syria. They climbed to a height of 6 thousand. Meters from the sea and headed toward Idlib. Here Turkey’s territory juts out into the narrow wedge of the Syrian province. How to assure the representatives of Turkey, they have warned the Russian bombers of violating the airspace of the country. After that, the air went two Turkish F-16 aircraft. Around 9:30 local time, they opened fire rockets “air-to-air».
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the bomber crashed. “We consider the actions of the Turkish Air Force as an unfriendly act,” – said the Russian Defense Ministry.
On board were two pilots, their names were not called.
«The crew ejected. According to preliminary data, a pilot was killed in the air from the fire on the ground “, – quotes RIA” Novosti head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff Sergei Rūda.
Information about the pilots in the foreign media widely. Syrian terrorists told the British news agency AP, they opened fire at catapulted pilots and shot one of them. British news channel Sky News said that both pilots were killed. The international news agency Reuters footage showed a supposedly dead pilot, and later reported that the Turkish authorities have received information that both pilots are alive, and are working to free them.
In the search for the pilots nominated Russian Mi-8 helicopters. One of the helicopters was hit and made an emergency landing.
In this killed a Marine-contractor, said Sergey Rudskoy.
«Blow in the back accomplices of terrorists »
Turkey is firmly on the claim that she was entitled to bring down someone else’s aircraft as it allegedly invaded its airspace – it was even released a map of the flight path. The two Russian aircraft were warned not to cross the border, say representatives of the country. The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to consult with NATO and the UN on the events at the border. Turkey, meanwhile, contacted the Pentagon, as is the American coalition that is fighting the terrorists in Syria.
President Vladimir Putin said that the Su-24 flew to the border at a distance of 1 km and the wreckage fell 4 km from the Turkish territory. He also reminded that there is an agreement about air incidents. “We are with our American partners have signed an agreement on the prevention of incidents in the air. This is despite the fact that Turkey is a part of the American war coalition, “- said the president.
The Pentagon confirmed that two Turkish aircraft opened fire on a Russian. However, the US military could not immediately say violated if the Su-24 abroad.
evening US officials on condition of anonymity, told Reuters, that the Su-24 entered into Turkey for a few seconds.
The respondents’ Gazetoy.Ru “experts told that the military can not just shoot all the planes that are in their airspace. There is always a special procedure. “The aircraft that accidentally flew into someone else’s airspace by the existing norms, should as soon as possible to leave. If all of a sudden he lost his orientation in space, it must include the distress signal, “- said” Gazeta.ru “the former commander of the 4th Air Force and Air Defense Army, Lieutenant General, Hero of Russia Valery Gorbenko. The expert noted that the process in each country is different. “We used to be like: raising the fighters who gave the team a stranger that he had violated the airspace. If you do not respond, then I tried to force him to land. If not, then the decision on its destruction. But the decision took command center on the ground “, – he added.
Army general, former Defense Ministry Chief of General Staff Yuri Baluyevsky said” Gazeta.ru “that for almost a month were accusations by Turkey against Russia in that the aircraft involved in the anti-terrorist operation allegedly violate the border. “I am therefore convinced that the military and political level discussed possible aspects related to force majeure, including the situation where the aircraft in terms of pilots may strike the border”, – he told in an interview with ” Gazetoy.Ru ».
Honored military pilot Andrei Gusev, recalled” Gazeta.ru “that the Russian Su-24 could not threaten Turkey, as they took part in the anti-terrorist operation that is agreed upon by all members of the coalition.
their attitude to what has happened Russian President Vladimir Putin announced at a meeting with the King of Jordan on Tuesday afternoon.
He said that Turkey has always It was for Russia a friendly state. “This tragic event will have serious consequences for Russian-Turkish relations. We have always treated Turkey as not only a close neighbor, and as a friendly state. I do not know who needed what is done today, in any case, not for us ».
« Our aircraft did not threaten the Republic of Turkey. This is obvious. They carried out operations against LIH “- the president said.
Then, Putin gave a harsh response of the Turkish side, in fact, accusing it of links with terrorists. He said that the attack on the Su-24 was a “blow struck in the back supporters of terrorists.” “We have been fixed with the fact that Turkey is a large amount of oil and oil products from the occupied territories. Hence, the more money makeup gangs “- the president added.
The world calls for peace
According to the declarations of States are not in a hurry to condemn Turkey but urged parties to the conflict to a peaceful settlement disputes. Meanwhile, Russia is making such attempts in spite of the fact that the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov canceled a working visit to Turkey on November 25 to communicate with Ankara are trying to get experts of the Defense Ministry, but to no avail.
Help I decided to have British Prime Minister David Cameron phoned to Ankara. He strongly urged the Prime Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu, to provide a direct dialogue between the Turks and Russians. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the attack on the Su-24 is a potentially serious incident, but said that he would not to comment until full clarification of circumstances.
The Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, Matthew Rycroft has confirmed that Turkey has sent a letter to the organization, but it was only a message of fact. “It is important that we understand the lessons regarding the reduction of conflict. I urge all those involved, to reduce tensions, “- he said.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told reporters that the reaction of the two countries shows that they consider a serious incident. He expressed the hope that this will not affect the settlement of the Syrian and added that Moscow and Ankara “will prevail mind».
Even US President Barack Obama called on both sides to dialogue. “I think it’s very important now that Russia and Turkey are talking to each other and find out exactly what happened, and took measures to prevent further escalation,” – he said.
The General Staff Armed Forces of Syria explained that acts of aggression against its allies only increased his perseverance and determination to continue the fight against terrorists.
Skoportyaschiesya relations
The destruction of the Su-24 Turkish military – the first acute episode in relations between Russia and Turkey, a NATO member. Russia “stabbed in the back supporters of terrorists” – said Vladimir Putin, and it is – the toughest statement made by the Russian president against Turkey. The new Caribbean crisis is unlikely to occur, however, according to a leading expert George Marshall Fund in Washington, Ian Lesser, “the incident occurred at a time when it is of such risks and fear in Turkey, and Russia.” However, he says, is too early to draw serious conclusions from this incident.
The signal to the fact that relations between Turkey and Russia significantly worsen already given. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday canceled his visit to Turkey, scheduled for November 25. He had planned to participate in the meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Group, which was supposed to discuss the Syrian conflict.
In turn, the leading expert of the Center for Gulf State Analytics Theodore Karasik said that Moscow and Ankara are at opposite sides in the Syrian conflict, that is an obstacle to resolving the situation. He believes that his harsh words, Putin made it clear that Turkey must accept the “requirements of Russia” on Syria.
Now Russia can strengthen the foreign political pressure on the President of Turkey in international organizations , especially since it claims to have accumulated for a long time, and not only in Russia,
also believes turcologist, senior researcher Institute of World Economy and International Relations Victor Nadein-Rajewski. Turkish authorities have repeatedly accused of supporting extremist groups in Syria, the pressure on the press and civil society. Russia “should not be ignored,” Turkey’s actions, but we must act cautiously. “We have extensive economic relations in which not only depends on the buyer from the seller, but the seller and the buyer. Therefore, any action in the economic sphere should be well thought out, “- said the expert.
The relationship Erdogan and Putin, who, in spite of the differences were quite respectful, now seriously deteriorate, no doubt expert said. The Turkish leader is known for his mercurial temperament. “This man is very impulsive, – says Nadein-Ravevsky. – Once with Bashar al-Assad, they were very close friends, Erdogan has teamed up with him at a general rejection of Israel, but at some point, Erdogan wanted alone to become a leader of the Islamic world ».
From Erdogan can expect anything, when he” finally bit between their teeth, “says Nadein-Rajewski.
In turn, representatives of the newly formed Cabinet of Turkey insist they do not intend to quarrel with Russia . “Ankara will work to improve relations with Moscow, despite the incident with the downed Russian Su-24, it follows from the statements of the new Minister for EU Affairs of Turkey Volkan Bozkır. “We have a very good relationship Russia. I am sure that Turkey will make efforts to ensure that they were even better. I want to keep this problem in the long term do not harm the Russian-Turkish relations. Of course, in the coming days, all these events will be investigated and will be made relevant statements “- said Bozkır.
Changes will probably and the Russian base in Syria. Military pilot, who asked not to indicate his name, said that most likely, Russia will soon increase its group of Su-30, which must inspect the Turkish-Syrian border, not allowing the enemy to approach, thus safeguarding our aircraft. “Su-24 and Su-25 cover the Su-30, but they are now in the area of conflict is clearly not enough, so it is logical that if their presence will increase,” – explains Colonel videoconferencing.
The threat to tourism and air communication
Almost immediately aggravation of Russian-Turkish relations felt the tourism industry. Rosturizm recommended tour operators and agents to suspend the sale of vouchers to Turkey after Lavrov’s statement. “The Foreign Minister said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not recommend the visit to Turkey, the threat of terrorism from Turkey as much out of Egypt. Rosturizm begins to work on the implementation of these recommendations, “- said the head of the agency TASS Oleg Safonov.
According to the Russian Union of Travel Industry (PCT), sold to Turkey 4-5 thousand tours with departures in the coming months. Tour operators have started to sell Turkey as an alternative to Egypt, after the closing of the country because of the terrorist attack on board a passenger plane A321 of “Kogalymavia.” Turkey has been a long-term leader in the number of trips among Russians. In 2014, there are 3.3 million Russians visited, in the first half of 2015 – 1.03 million (26% lower than the same period last year).
The press secretary Irina Turina PCT believes that the closing and Turkey will become a tourist industry hit. “Tour operators are now stopped selling, they have no way out.
This is another heavy blow to the tourism industry since closed the most adequate alternative to a prohibited Egypt, which could offer.
In the winter in Turkey opened a good five-star hotels with swimming pools and a spa. All other areas are more and more expensive. In neighboring Egypt Eilat vacation also is more expensive “, – quotes its words” Interfax “. “In general the situation is developing so disastrous, it seems people do not want to go anywhere, including and in Russia. Since they do not have the mood to do it, “- she said.
What can be the loss of tour operators from the suspension of tourist traffic to Turkey, is still unknown. First Deputy Finance Minister of Russia Tatyana Nesterenko told reporters that “the government has reserves to complex contingencies, if necessary, to provide some financial support to tour operators and airlines».
It should be noted that as far as not talking about the evacuation of Russian citizens and the suspension of air links with Turkey. As the main tourist season is over, Russians are now in Turkey, according to the PCT, a total of about 10 thousand. As for air travel, the press secretary of the president of Russia, Dmitry Peskov, said that “it out of the question.” “Certainly, there is no need to give in some campaigning in this case,” – he said.
was not discussed (at least at the official level in the public space) and other Russian economic response to the incident with the plane.
Turkey is one of the largest trading partners of Russia (ranked sixth) with a turnover of $ 31.6 billion at the end of last year. According to the Russian Federal Customs Service, in January-July 2015 the Russian-Turkish trade turnover decreased compared to the same period of 2014 by 21.5% to $ 14.4 billion., Including exports totaled $ 12 billion (a decline of 16 5%), import – $ 2.4 billion (down 39,8%).
The country is the largest supplier in the Russian food (especially fruits and vegetables). Enter an embargo on products from Turkey is very problematic, there is simply no alternative to it, as imports from the EU has already banned. In the food and agricultural raw materials accounted for 33.2% of Turkish exports to Russia.
No comments:
Post a Comment