Russian fighter shot down by Turks

[Osem]

The Turkish military have reportedly shot down a Russian military aircraft on the border with Syria.

Russia's defence ministry said an Su-24 had crashed on Syrian territory after being hit by fire from the ground, and that its pilots had managed to eject.

But Turkish military officials said Turkish F-16s had shot down the plane after repeatedly warning its pilots they were violating Turkish airspace

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34907983

It was bound to happen sooner or later. The Russians have apparently been warned about this many times and chose to carry on regardless. It'll be interesting to see how Putin reacts.

That's if we believe Turkish claims here. Even if they did violate Turkish airspace it seems to be a brief and small incursion. Can't help but think Turkey have overreacted here.

[Osem]

I don't see what's in it for Turkey to lie about this, especially knowing that the Russians may have incontrovertible proof to the contrary. Mind you things are still confused so I suppose anything's still possible. The Turkish say they warned the pilots and they ignored those warnings.

Russia is claiming the plane was shot down in Syria by ground fire, so they are actively avoiding pointing the finger at Turkey.

Originally Posted by Chris

Russia is claiming the plane was shot down in Syria by ground fire, so they are actively avoiding pointing the finger at Turkey.

I think we should all agree to this spin and quietly tell Turkey to cool it.

[Osem]

Whatever the truth, maybe Putin's starting to feel that he's already bitten off rather too much to be getting involved in a problem with Turkey/Nato.

[Stop It]

Originally Posted by Damien

I think we should all agree to this spin and quietly tell Turkey to cool it.

A bit late considering Turkey has been very proudly shouting that they shot this plane down.

This was always going to happen with Turkey a very prominent opponent of Assad and Russia a supporter. That said, until recently they have been strong allies too so this shows what a bit of division of policy can do to diplomatic relations.

Hopefully things wont escalate further, but this needs mediation and some cool heads to get in the middle to stop any retaliation ASAP.

[heero_yuy]

Originally Posted by Damien

I think we should all agree to this spin and quietly tell Turkey to cool it.

If that's the way the Russians want to play it then fine. But I suspect it will also be used a pretext to bomb the hell out of Assad's political rivals in that area rather than targetting IS.

[Osem]

I'm sure there'll be lots of discussions behind the scenes about how to minimise the fallout and any embarrassment from this.

It seems one of the pilots is dead and has been filmed by hostile ground 'troops' celebrating the fact. I wouldn't like to be in the shoes of the other pilot but imagine his fate is sealed.

[Taf]

The area is inside Syria but is home to ethnic Turks now under Turkish protection. The Turks wanted it to be classed a no-fly zone, but Russia would not cooperate as it would become a haven for anti-Assad fighters.

[Uncle Peter]

The Russians' prime motivation for being in this conflict is to keep Assad in power which means suppressing any ethnic or secular group that might organise themselves against him: Exactly how he's stayed in power to this date.

That means not just IS, but the Syrian Turkmen from the North Western borderlands and are vehemently opposed to Assad. Suppose then for instance that Ankara have become pretty fed up of the Russians making ethnic Turks a legitimate target under the pretense of the fight against IS thus taking the opportunity to down a Russian aircraft near the border knowing full well that the facts will be disputed until the cows come home.

Either way it will be interesting to see how the press spin this one. I doubt that the true facts will be uncovered anytime soon.

[Osem]

Putin being interviewed now and talking about being stabbed in the back and serious consequences for Russia/Turkish relations. Seems they think the jet was shot down by the Turks now as Putin's claiming it was an air to air missile.

Does anyone know what the cut-off age is for Military conscription? Asking for a friend...

In which country?

Originally Posted by Chris

In which country?

The UK although I was (mostly) joking.