Russian jets violate Turkish airspace again, ambassador summoned over violation

Turkey summoned Russian envoy on Friday over new violation of airspace by Russian SU-34 jets, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said in a statement on Saturday.

According to the statement, the Russian jet were warned in English and Russian before it violated Turkey's airspace for 20-25 seconds near southeastern Gaziantep province.

The Russian envoy was called to the ministry, where the incident was protested and condemned.

It added that the violation is an indicator of Russia's irresponsible actions, which led to the increase in tensions between the two countries, despite explicit warnings by Turkey and NATO.

The ministry also called on Russia to avoid violating Turkey's - and NATO's - airspace and act responsibly, while adding that any consequences of such irresponsible actions would be Russia's responsibility.

However, the Russian Defense Ministry said that no Russian aircraft had violated Turkish airspace, Sputnik reported Saturday.

"There were no violations of Turkish airspace by aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic. Turkish authorities' statements of an alleged violation of Turkish airspace by a Russian Su-34 jet are naked propaganda," the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said.

A warplane of unknown nationality, which turned out to be a Russian-made SU-24 jet, entered Turkish airspace on November 24. It was downed by Turkish F16 fighter jets patrolling the border, upon the Russian pilot's refusal to quit Turkish airspace even after 10 warnings.

Russia later claimed responsibility for the jet which fell in Bayırbucak region in Syria bordering Yayladağı district of southern Hatay province of Turkey. NATO confirmed the validity of the information disclosed by Turkey regarding the airspace violation. In early October, Russian warplanes had also violated Turkish airspace and Russian officials apologized for the incident and said that it would not be repeated. Later on, Turkey again declared that rules of engagement including military response would be implemented.