Daniel Everett | Editing Team
Don’t Tread On the Bear
For the first time since the 1950’s a nation belonging to NATO has shot down a Russian plane.
Russia launched an airstrike campaign in Syria last September. This was in order to support the Syrian government of Assad which is opposed by numerous NATO supported rebel groups as well as the notorious Islamic State.
On the 24th November, a Russian Su-24 all weather fighter jet was shot down by Turkish F-16 warplanes using an air to air missile. The plane crashed in the Latakia region of Syria, which is contested between rebel forces and the Syrian government.
In a letter to the UN Security Council, Turkish representative’s claim that they reported two unidentified aircraft entered Turkish airspace; these planes were warned 10 times. However, they go on to claim that these warnings were ignored, with both planes flying in Russian airspace for 17 seconds. One plane left Turkish airspace, however the other was shot down by Turkish warplanes on patrol in the area.
The Russians have a very different perspective on the incident, the Russian leader Vladimir Putin claims that their jets remained 1km within Syrian territory, pointing out that the plane crashed 4km within Syria’s borders. The Russian defence ministry claims that throughout their mission, they received no warnings from the Turkish authorities and did not enter Turkish airspace.
Both Russian airmen within the targeted jet ejected before the burning plane crashed. However, both men were fired upon by Syrian rebels supported by Western nations, with one pilot surviving whilst the other was found to be dead. Another casualty in this incident was the pilot of a Mi-8 helicopter was destroyed by an American supplied TOW missile during an attempted rescue mission for the downed Russian jet pilots.
The world holds its breath waiting for the potential geopolitical earthquake that could result from such small conflicts as this. Russia refuses to co-operate with Turkey, with Putin neglecting calls from the Turkish president Erdogan until Russia apologises for their transgressions. Furthermore, Russia claims they understand that Turkey has received large amounts of oil from IS controlled areas and therefore claims that they have been ‘stabbed in the back’ by Turkey who are working with terrorists. Turkey on the other hand, refuses to apologise for their actions, and whilst Erdogan claims to be ‘saddened’ by the incident, he also claims that the world needs to ‘respect Russia’s right to defend its borders. NATO claims to stand in ‘solidarity’ with Turkey, arguing that Turkey operated fairly under its rules of engagement.
Overall, this issue is highly contentious and it is clear that the truth will likely never be found and whilst each faction involved refuses to agree on a solution and move on, it will be important to examine these events, for should this wound fail to heal, it could be the start of escalating tensions between NATO and Russia. Many claim that the conflict in Syria has been a proxy war between these powers, with another crisis such as this, we could be plunged into a second Cold War.
