Surviving crew member of Russian jet says no warning from Turkey
Updated: 2015-11-26 00:13
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
Pilots of a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 fighter jet prepare before a flight at the Hmeymim air base near Latakia, Syria, in this handout photograph released by Russia's Defence Ministry October 5, 2015.[Photo/Agencies] |
MOSCOW -- Surviving pilot of the downed Russian Su-24 said on Wednesday that no visual or video warning was received from the Turkish side, ruling out possibility of violating Turkish airspace.
Turkey shot down the Russian plane near the Syrian border on Tuesday, saying it had violated its air space.
"In fact there were no warnings, neither via radio communication nor through eye contact. There were no contacts at all," the pilot said, quoted by the Tass news agency.
"If they wanted to warn us, they could have shown themselves, taken a parallel course, but there was nothing. And the rocket struck us in the tail suddenly. We didn't even visually observe it to be able to make an anti-missile maneuver," he added.
The pilot also ruled out the possibility of violating Turkish airspace as the flight of the Su-24 was in his personal full control until the explosion of the Turkish missile.
"Our entire flight until the rocket strike was entirely controlled by me. I saw perfectly well both on the map and from the terrain where the border was and where we were. There wasn't even a risk of entering Turkey," the pilot told reporters.
Related Stories
Obama, Hollande call for avoiding escalation over Russian warplane downing 2015-11-25 11:18
Russian senior military official confirms death of one Su-24 pilot 2015-11-25 10:55
Turkey says Russian pilots alive, seeking their release 2015-11-25 05:49
Tension between Ankara, Moscow mounts over downing of Russian jet 2015-11-24 22:42
Putin calls Turkey's downing of Russian jet 'stab in the back' 2015-11-24 21:37
Turkey downs Russian fighter jet near Syria border 2015-11-24 17:17
Today's Top News
Beijing to adopt world's strictest emissions standard
China to spend $438b on new rails over the next five years
Xi urges breakthroughs in military structural reform
Chinese play growing part in online shopping
Surviving Russian pilot says no warning from Turkey
Xi to attend Paris climate conference
Putin: Turkey's downing of jet 'stab in the back'
Russian senior military official confirms death of one Su-24 pilot
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Xi just needs to turn up for a grand welcome |
Stepping up |
Rural families still hope for male heirs |
Blue skies over Beijing ... for now |
V-Day parade for 70th WWII anniversary |
Tianjin blasts: Death, damage and bravery |