Turkey, Russia differ on how jet was downed on Turkey-Syria border

ISTANBUL

A Sukhoi Su-24 fighter jet taxis on tarmac at the Hmeymim air base near Latakia, Syria, in this file handout photograph released by Russia's Defence Ministry November 11, 2015. REUTERS photo

The nationality of a warplane downed by Turkish fighter jets early Nov. 24 has not yet been determined, Turkey’s General Staff has said, even as the Russian Defense Ministry said one of its fighter jets was downed in Syria, apparently after coming under fire from the ground, Interfax news agency reported. 

The Turkish General Staff said two Turkish F-16s shot down a plane on Nov. 24 at around 9:20 a.m. near the southern province of Hatay’s Yayladağı district after the plane allegedly violated the border between Turkey and Syria, remaining in Turkish airspace for five minutes despite being warned 10 times. 

The statement said the jet was downed within the rules of engagement after it failed to heed the warnings. 

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said they were looking into the situation, adding that the Su-24 plane had not violated Turkish airspace. 

The ministry said the pilots of the jet had ejected and parachuted to the ground, Reuters reported.