RUSSIA has deployed state-of-the art missile cruisers to the Mediterranean to provide aerial security after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet, sparking fears of war.
President Vladimir Putin described Turkey’s action as a “crime” and a “stab in the back,” warning of serious consequences.
On Wednesday, he ordered the deployment of the S-400 missile system to the Hemeimeem air base, a Russian air base, in Latakia, off the Syrian coast and 50 kilometres south of Turkey’s border.
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the Russian missile cruiser Moskva, the flagship of the country’s Black Sea Fleet, already has moved closer to shore to protect the Russian aircraft flying missions near Syria’s border with Turkey with its long-range Fort air defence system.
Mr Shoigu also said that from now on all Russian bombers will be escorted by fighters on their combat missions in Syria. He said that his ministry has severed all contacts with the Turkish military.
The moves have raised the threat of a military confrontation between the NATO member and Russia, as the missiles are capable of targeting Turkish jets with deadly precision. If Russia shot down a Turkish plane, NATO would be required to intervene.
Turkey shot down a Russian SU-24 bomber on Tuesday, saying it crossed into its airspace from Syria despite repeated warnings.
One of its two pilots was killed by militants after bailing out, while his crewmate was rescued by Syrian army commandos and delivered in good condition to the Russian base.
Mr Putin said the Russian plane remained in Syria’s skies when it was shot down.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who cancelled his planned trip to Turkey after the incident, described the shooting down of the Russian plane as a “planned provocation.”
He said the Turkish action came after Russian planes successfully targeted the oil infrastructure used by the Islamic State, alleging that Turkey benefited from the oil trade.
Mr Lavrov also said that Turkish territory was used by “terrorists” to prepare terror attacks in other countries, but offered no details.
He said that Russia “has no intention to go to war with Turkey,” but added that Moscow will reconsider its ties with Ankara. The Russian Foreign Ministry already has warned Russians against travelling to Turkey, and some leading Russian tourist agencies suspended the sales of tour packages to Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that his country does not wish to escalate tensions with Russia over the downing of the plane.
Speaking at an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation economy meeting in Istanbul, Mr Erdogan said that Turkey favours “peace, dialogue and diplomacy.”
He defended his country’s move to shoot down the plane saying: “No-one should expect Turkey to stay silent to border violations or the violation of its rights.”
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also sought to ease tensions, saying that Russia is Turkey’s “friend and neighbour” and insisting relations cannot be “sacrificed to accidents of communication.”
Mr Davutoglu told his party’s politicians on Wednesday that Turkey didn’t know the nationality of the plane that was brought down on Tuesday until Moscow announced it was Russian.
He again defended Turkey’s action, saying Russia was warned on several occasions that Turkey would take action in case its border is violated in line with its military rules of engagement.
Mr Davutoglu also said Russia is an “important partner and tops the list of countries with which we have shown great sensitivity in building ties.”
The Turkish prime minister, however, also criticised Russian and Syrian operations in Syria’s Turkmen region, saying there is “not one single” presence of the Islamic State group there. Mr Davutoglu demanded that operations there stop immediately.
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