Moscow has indicated Monday that the Russian fighter jet that violated Turkish airspace did so because of “bad weather conditions”.
Russian Ministry of Defense spokesman Igor Konashenkov made the statement late Monday following worldwide criticism after a Russian fighter jet was intercepted by Turkish warplanes for violating Turkey’s airspace on Saturday, World Bulletin reported.
“The S-30 Russian fighter jet completing the planned flight on Oct. 3 entered into Turkish airspace for several seconds while it was maneuvering over mountainside to return to the Himeymim air base,” Konashenkov stated.
The Russian plane had crossed into the southern province of Hatay.
The spokesman added that the incident was by no means a type of plot.
Russia began flying combat missions over Syria on Sept. 30 following an escalation in its military support for Syrian government.
Moscow insists the strikes are targeting IS and affiliated terrorist groups, while western countries and their Persian Gulf allies believe moderate opponents are bearing the brunt of Russian attacks.
A US-led coalition has also been striking IS in Syria since September, building upon an aerial campaign already hitting the terrorist group in Iraq.
