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2015 Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shootdown

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2015 Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shootdown
Part of Syrian Civil War

A Russian Sukhoi Su-24M similar to the downed plane.
Date24 November 2015
Location
Syria–Turkey border
(Exact location of shooting disputed, crashed in Turkmen Mountain, Syria)
Belligerents
 Russia  Turkey
Strength
2 SU-24[1] 2 F-16
Casualties and losses
1 SU-24 shot down
one killed,
one ejected[2]		 none

The shootdown of Russian Sukhoi Su-24M (NATO reporting name: Fencer)[3] bomber aircraft by Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jets occurred on 24 November 2015. The pilot and weapon systems officer both ejected from the aircraft; it is unclear what happened to them afterward. Unverified reports indicate that at least one was killed by Turkmen Syrian opposition fighters in Syria, where the jet crashed. Turkey says the plane violated Turkish airspace, and maintains that its pilots warned the Russian jet 10 times before shooting it down.[4] Russia denied the aircraft crossed into Turkish airspace. This incident is the first time since the 1950s that a Russian/Soviet plane has been shot down by a NATO member.[5]

No! We're -bleep-d! Why!? Goodbye World![6]

Background

Further information: Syrian Civil War, Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War, and Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War

Russia is one of a number of countries that is directly involved in the Syrian conflict. Russia began its air campaign against the ISIL and other anti-government forces on 30 September 2015.

In early October 2015, Turkey and NATO protested against what they saw as Russia′s deliberate violations of Turkish airspace.[7] Turkey had also warned Russia that there would be "serious consequences" if the Russian Air Force did not stop striking "civilian Turkmen villages" in the Bayir Bucak area near the Turkish border.[8]

Shootdown

On 24 November 2015, at 9:24 a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft was shot down in the Syrian-Turkey border area by two patrolling Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jets. According to Turkey's statement to the UN Security Council, two planes, whose nationalities were unknown to at the time, violated Turkish airspace up to 1.36 miles (2.19 km) for about 17 seconds.[9][1] The planes were given 10 warnings within the span of 5 minutes to change their course. According to Turkey, the planes disregarded the warnings and were subsequently fired upon by Turkish F-16s patrolling the area. One of the planes then left Turkish airspace and the other crashed into Syrian territory after being shot while in Turkish airspace.[1] According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Su-24 was downed at an altitude of 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) within one kilometre from Turkish border while returning to Khmeimim Air Base in Syria.[10] Russia has steadfastly maintained "throughout its flight, the aircraft remained exclusively above Syrian territory."[8] The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the aircraft was a Su-24 but that it had proof the jet was within Syrian airspace. Turkish state-owned Anadolu Agency showed the initial video footage of the aircraft crashing and the two crew parachuting down. Russian helicopters were reportedly conducting low-altitude combat search and rescue flights in the area to look for the crew.[11]

Early reports from multiple Russian news agencies indicated that the plane had been downed by a ground-based strike from Syrian Turkmen rebels, but the Russian Defence Ministry later confirmed the Turkish reports that the plane had been downed by Turkish fighter jets. According to Turkish officials, the jet was shot down by two Turkish F-16 jets after multiple requests (allegedly 10 requests in a five minute span) for the Russian jet to change its course. As tweeted by CNN Türk, the Turkish military released a graphic of the Russian plane's flight pattern, which shows it crossing the southern tip of Hatay Province before being shot down and crashing near Turkmen Mountain.[12][13]

Crew

Both of the crew ejected after their aircraft was hit.[12] CNN Türk reported that one of the crew was captured by Turkmen Syrian opposition fighters[11] in Syria. The fighters who were video taping his body shouted things such as "Allah Akbar".[14] The deputy commander of a Turkmen rebel brigade in Syria claimed his forces shot dead the two crew as they descended with parachutes.[15]

Reactions

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke from Sochi during a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan[8] a few hours later warning of a "stab in the back by terrorist accomplices"[12][16] and that Russia–Turkey relations would be affected. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was due to visit Turkey the next day to "smooth relations," while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was due to visit Russia later in the year.[17][18] Lavrov canceled his trip after the incident. Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi said the shooting was a "new crime" that will be added to the record of insurgent groups fighting in the country and of those countries that were financing and arming them; he mentioned Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar as the strongest such backers.[19] Turkey called for NATO to hold an extraordinary meeting later in the day.[20] Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu defended the action saying Turkey has the right "to take all kinds of measures" against border violations as a "national duty," but that it did not amount to an aggression against any foreign territory. He further called for working towards "extinguishing the fire that is burning in Syria."

Czech President Miloš Zeman said that Turkey's action was "a too radical move which only increases the tension in the region." Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said it was "an unpleasant surprise which shows there's still no good coordination among the players in the region" and that, thus, there was a necessity for better direct communication among those fighting in the region; it was echoed by Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek.[19] British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the incident was "clearly very serious." German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for "prudence" in response to the incident and that Syria peace talks in Vienna should not be derailed.

The President of the European Council Donald Tusk called upon Turkey and Russia to stay "cool headed and calm" in this difficult moment after downing of the Russian jet. This claim was supported by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini who following her meeting with Jens Stoltenberg urged to avoid escalation between Turkey and Russia[21][22].

The Russian MICEX and Turkish Borsa Istanbul were down over 1%, while the Turkish lira also dropped following news of the shootdown.[23]

Dozens of protesters were reported outside the Russian consulate in Istanbul demonstrating against Russian operations in the Turkmen-populated areas of Syria.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Turkey's statement to the United Nations Security Council". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  2. ^ http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-rebel-video-purports-show-russian-pilot-35386726
  3. ^ Lydia Tomkiw (24 November 2015). "What Is A Fencer Su-24? What To Know About The Russian Plane Shot Down By Turkey". International Business Times. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  4. ^ "Turkey downs Russian jet". AJE Live Events.
  5. ^ "A NATO Country Just Shot Down a Russian Warplane for the First Time Since the Cold War". Maxim.
  6. ^ http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/11/24/turkey_downing_that_russian_fighter_jet_is_terrible_news_for_the_war_on.html
  7. ^ "Syria conflict: Russia violation of Turkish airspace 'no accident'". BBC. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  8. ^ a b c "Turkey 'shoots down Russian warplane on Syria border'". BBC. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  9. ^ H.E. Mr. Matthew Ryeroft (24 november 2015). "Permanent Mission of Turkey to the United Nations, Ambassador 2015/10165510". UN. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help): "Disregarding these warning, both planes, at an altitude of 19.000 feet, violated Turkish national airspace to a depth of 1,36 miles and 1,15 miles in length for 17 seconds from 0.24'.05 local time."
  10. ^ "Минобороны РФ: российский Су-24 сбили при возвращении на авиабазу в Сирии" (in Russian). Russian News Agency TASS. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  11. ^ a b "Turkish jets shoot down Russian warplane, Russia denies airspace violation". PressTV. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  12. ^ a b c Whittaker, Francis; Melville-Smith, Alicia (24 November 2015). "Russian Jet Downed Near Turkey-Syria Border". Buzzfeed News. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  13. ^ https://twitter.com/CNNTURK_ENG/status/669098577524822016
  14. ^ "Syria rebel video 'shows Russian pilot'". news. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  15. ^ "Turkey downs Russian warplane near Syria border, Putin warns of 'serious consequences'". Reuters UK. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  16. ^ "Turkey downing of Russia jet 'stab in the back' - Putin". BBC News.
  17. ^ "Turkey shoots down Russian warplane -- will Vladimir Putin react adversely?". DNA. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  18. ^ "One Russian pilot of downed jet dead, second missing, NATO calls for emergency meet". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  19. ^ a b c "Russian Foreign Minister Cancels Visit to Turkey". The New Indian Express.
  20. ^ "NATO calls 'extraordinary meeting' after Turkey downs Russian jet". The Express Tribune. Agence France-Presse. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  21. ^ "EU's Tusk urges all to stay 'cool headed' after Russian jet downed". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  22. ^ "EU cautions Russia, Turkey to stay 'calm'". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  23. ^ "Turkish, Russian shares fall after Turkey downs Russian-made warplane". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
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