Russian Defense Ministry Official: Turkish Aircraft Downed in Syrian Waters
was on NATO Intelligence Mission
Jul 07, 2012
http://www.sana.sy/eng/22/2012/07/07/429814.htm

MOSCOW, (SANA) – Chairman of the Social Council at the Russian Defense
Ministry, Igor Korotchenko, said that the Turkish aircraft downed in the
Syrian territorial waters had violated Syrian airspace on an intelligence
mission for the NATO aiming at measuring the capabilities of the Syrian
anti-air defenses.

In an interview with Russia Today, Korotchenko said that the Syrian defenses
showed high skills in downing this aircraft, stating that this shows that
Syrian air defenses can confront any threat.

He said that this is quite important as the west will think deeply about
undertaking aerial operations against Syria in the future because it
realizes that the losses in planes and pilots will be very significant.

Korotchenko said that Russia has documented information on the infiltration
of the aircraft which confirm the truth about the aircraft's mission and its
crew's orders, adding that the aircraft was destroyed legally as it was
within the Syrian airspace.

He said that the aircraft was conducting espionage and photo reconnaissance
of important site, and that the Turks didn't anticipate that the Syrian
anti-air defenses will be able to down this aircraft due to its high
maneuverability and low altitude, expecting it to return safely to base
after finishing its mission.

Korotchenko said that Turkish intelligence sought to obtain information
about Syria's anti-air defenses for the benefit of NATO, and that the
efficiency of these defenses were proven which constitutes a blow to the
Turkish air forces due to this failure.

He also refuted the Turkish officials allegations regarding this incident,
saying that Turkish diplomacy is making considerable efforts to appear
innocent and lay full blame on Syria.

H. Sabbagh