ADVERTISEMENT

Russia's president calls Turkey's downing of jet 'stab in the back'

"Today's loss is linked to a stab in the back delivered to us by accomplices of terrorists. I cannot qualify what happened today as anything else," said a visibly furious Putin.

Russia's Putin calls Turkey's downing of Russian jet 'stab in the back'

President Vladimir Putin called Turkey's downing of a Russian fighter jet a stab in the back administered by "the accomplices of terrorists," saying the incident would have serious consequences for Moscow's relations with Ankara.

Speaking in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on Tuesday before a meeting with Jordan'sKing Abdullah, Putin said the downed plane had been attacked inside Syria when it was 1 kilometre (0.62 miles) from the Turkish border and had come down 4 kilometres (2.49 miles) inside Syria.

That contradicted Turkey's assertion that the aircraft had been warned multiple times that it was straying into Turkish airspace before it was shot down.

"Our plane was shot down on Syrian territory by an air-to-air missile from an F-16. It fell on Syrian territory 4 kilometres from the Turkish border. It was flying at 6,000 metres 1 kilometre from Turkish territory when it was attacked."

ADVERTISEMENT

Putin said Russian pilots and planes had in no way threatened Turkey, but had merely been carrying out their duty to fight Islamic State militants inside Syria.

"We established a long time ago that large quantities of oil and oil products from territory captured by Islamic State have been arriving on Turkish territory," he said, saying that was how militants had been funding themselves.

"And now we get stabbed in our back and our planes, which are fighting terrorism, are struck. This despite the fact that we signed an agreement with our American partners to warn each other about air-to-air incidents and Turkey ... announced it was allegedly fighting against terrorism as part of the U.S. coalition."

If Islamic State militants earned hundreds of millions of dollars from trading oil and enjoyed the protection of the armed forces "of entire governments" no wonder, said Putin, they behaved so boldly.

"We will of course analyse everything that happened and today's tragic events will have serious consequences for Russo-Turkish relations," he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Turkey is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Russians, and the two countries enjoy active diplomatic relations.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is due to visit Turkey on Wednesday, in a trip arranged before the incident, while Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to visit Russia for talks with Putin in December.

Putin expressed anger at Turkey's decision to convene a meeting of NATO to discuss the incident, suggesting Ankara should instead have swiftly tried to contact Moscow.

"It's as if we shot down a Turkish plane rather than them shooting down one of ours. What do they want? To put NATO at Islamic State's disposal? We will never tolerate such crimes like the one committed today."

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Gov Adeleke lavished with praise for providing water, sanitation facilities

Gov Adeleke lavished with praise for providing water, sanitation facilities

CSO inaugurates campaign to combat electoral irregularities, promote reforms

CSO inaugurates campaign to combat electoral irregularities, promote reforms

Lagos arrests 10 fake officials for carrying out unauthorised enforcement

Lagos arrests 10 fake officials for carrying out unauthorised enforcement

Ogun govt training herbalists to compete in world traditional medicine market

Ogun govt training herbalists to compete in world traditional medicine market

NNPP founder accuses Kwankwaso of betrayal, threatens legal action

NNPP founder accuses Kwankwaso of betrayal, threatens legal action

2 students fall and die trying to take a selfie at waterfall

2 students fall and die trying to take a selfie at waterfall

VP Shettima calls on academics to contribute to Nigeria's security, prosperity

VP Shettima calls on academics to contribute to Nigeria's security, prosperity

Elon Musk threatens to suspend Twitter accounts involved in engagement farming

Elon Musk threatens to suspend Twitter accounts involved in engagement farming

'Yahaya Bello' - Kogi parliament told to begin impeachment process of Gov Ododo

'Yahaya Bello' - Kogi parliament told to begin impeachment process of Gov Ododo

Pulse Sports

Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami

Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe

Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe

Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024

Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT