Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Moscow of "consequences" after a Russian Su-34 fighter jet allegedly violated its airspace on Friday.
"We regard this infringement which came despite all our warnings in Russian and in English as an effort by Russia to escalate the crisis in the region. If Russia continues the violations of Turkey's sovereign rights, it will be forced to endure the consequences," Erdogan said on Saturday, according to Todays Zaman.
Erdogan's remarks came a day after Turkish foreign ministry summoned Moscow's envoy in Ankara over the Russian violation of country's airspace.
"Turkish air elements warned the aircraft of Russian Federation several times on Friday in Russian and English. This violation is also a new and congrete indicator of Russian Federation's actions which aims accelerating problems despite open warnings by our country and by NATO," the ministry conveyed to Russian ambassador, Business Standard reported.
Russia, on the other hand, dismissed the fresh airspace violation allegations, calling them completely baseless.
"They have been no Turkish airspace violations by the aircraft of the Russia airborne tactical formation in the Syrian Arab Republic. The statements from the Turkish side concerning the alleged air incursion by a Russian Su-34 are proof-less propaganda," Russian defense ministry spokesman Major General Iror Konashenkov said in a statement, according to Russia Today.
