Russian Su-24 Shooting Heightens Tension With Turkey

The US government is trying to prevent further encounters between the Russian and Turkish air forces over the border zone between Turkey and Syria.

On 24 November, a Turkish Lockheed Martin F-16 shot down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24, with Ankara claiming that the latter had entered Turkish airspace. The incident between the NATO member and Moscow has created major concern in Washington DC.

Following the incident, Israeli sources suggested that if the Russian strike aircraft had been flown near an "enclave" of Turkey close to the Syrian border then it should have been obvious that its crew had no "bad intentions".

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called Turkey's action "a stab in the back" carried out by the "accomplices of terrorists", and warned that the incident will have "serious consequences" for Moscow's relations with Ankara.

Turkey confirms that the downed Su-24 was engaged by two of its F-16s. It says the aircraft was targeted in line with its rules of engagement, after "violating the country's airspace".

Russia has rejected the Turkish version of events, claiming that its aircraft had not violated Turkish airspace, and had been flying at an altitude of 6,000m (19,700ft).

There have been conflicting reports about the fate of the Su-24's two crew members, who ejected following the engagement. As-yet unconfirmed claims also suggest that a Russian rescue helicopter that was sent to the area was hit by a surface-to-air missile and then destroyed by an anti-tank weapon after making an emergency landing.

Israel is following the situation very closely, as it is also conducting aerial activity over Syria, according to Western sources.

Russia To Deploy S-400 Defense Missile System to Khmeimim Airbase in Syria - Defense Minister

The Russian Air Force base in Latakia will be reinforced with S-400 SAM system, which will soon be deployed there, Russia's Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Wednesday.

"S-400 will be deployed on Khmeimim airbase in Syria," Shoigu said at a Defense Ministry meeting.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian Su-24 was shot down by a Turkish F-16 fighter jet near the Turkish-Syrian border. One pilot died in the incident. The second one was rescued and brought to the Russian airbase in Latakia.

Moscow maintains the jet did not violate Turkey's airspace. It ditched on Syria's territory four kilometers from the border.

Shortly afterwards, the MoD announced three steps to be taken following the attack on the Russian Su-24 bomber, including providing aerial cover by fighter jets for every airstrike, boosting air defense by deploying guided missile cruisers off the Latakia coast, and suspending all military-to-military contacts with Turkey.

The S-400 is Russia's most advanced anti-aircraft defense system. It is as an upgrade of the S-300 Growler family, designed and developed by Almaz Antei. The S-400 is employed to ensure air defense using long- and medium-range missiles that can hit aerial targets at ranges up to 400 kilometers. The S-400 is capable of hitting tactical and strategic aircraft as well as ballistic and cruise missiles. The system includes a set of radars, missile launchers and command posts, and is operated solely by the Russian military.

Khmeimim airbase in Latakia, Syria, accommodates Russian Air Force squadrons of Su-27SM and Su-30 fighter jets, Su-34 and Su-24 tactical bombers, which are all taking part in airstrikes on Islamic State positions. The airbase is protected by state-of-the-art air defense systems and radars. Khmeimim also has a fully operational unit for maintaining fixed- and rotor-wing aircraft and providing logistical assistance to pilots.