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Navigator of Downed Russian Plane Says He Was Given No Warning Navigator of Downed Russian Plane Says He Was Given No Warning
(35 minutes later)
MOSCOW — The Russian navigator who parachuted out of a warplane shot down by Turkey said on Wednesday that there had been no warning before a missile slammed into the aircraft, giving him and the pilot no time to dodge the missile.MOSCOW — The Russian navigator who parachuted out of a warplane shot down by Turkey said on Wednesday that there had been no warning before a missile slammed into the aircraft, giving him and the pilot no time to dodge the missile.
The navigator, Capt. Konstantin V. Murakhtin, was rescued by special forces troops who followed his radio beacon and negotiated his release from the insurgents who were holding him.The navigator, Capt. Konstantin V. Murakhtin, was rescued by special forces troops who followed his radio beacon and negotiated his release from the insurgents who were holding him.
“There were no warnings from either the radio channel or visually, there was no contact at all,” he told the Interfax news agency from the Russian air base outside Latakia, Syria. The plane’s pilot, Lt. Col. Oleg A. Peshkov, was killed by ground fire from insurgents shooting at him as his parachute descended. “There were no warnings from either the radio channel or visually, there was no contact at all,” he told the Interfax news agency from the Russian air base outside Latakia, Syria. The pilot, Lt. Col. Oleg A. Peshkov, was killed by ground fire from insurgents as his parachute descended.
Captain Murakhtin’s account directly contradicted that of Turkish officials, who said the pilots had been warned 10 times in five minutes not to transgress into Turkish airspace, even the thin sliver of territory that the plane crossed in 17 seconds. The Russians have been adamant that the warplane was shot down over Syria, not Turkey. It crashed about two and a half miles from the border, Russia said, and the pilots parachuted into Syrian territory. Captain Murakhtin’s account directly contradicted that of Turkish officials, who said the pilots had been warned 10 times in five minutes not to transgress into Turkish airspace, even the sliver of territory that the plane crossed in 17 seconds. The Russians have been adamant that the warplane was shot down over Syria, not Turkey. It crashed about two and a half miles from the border, Russia said, and the pilots parachuted into Syrian territory.
Captain Murakhtin said that he and Colonel Peshkov had stuck to their combat flight plan and were flying their bomber in “normal mode,” when the attack occurred. Captain Murakhtin said that he and Colonel Peshkov had stuck to their combat flight plan and were flying their bomber in “normal mode” when the attack occurred.
Given the speed at which they were traveling, he said, the F-16 should have flown a parallel course as a standard visual warning, the navigator said. “There was not even a threat of crossing into Turkey,” Captain Murakhtin said.Given the speed at which they were traveling, he said, the F-16 should have flown a parallel course as a standard visual warning, the navigator said. “There was not even a threat of crossing into Turkey,” Captain Murakhtin said.
Captain Murakhtin’s account was sure to further inflame sentiment in Russia. Its defense minister announced on Wednesday that it would deploy its most powerful air defense system in Syria. Protesters gathered outside the Turkish Embassy in Moscow, pelting it with eggs and rocks that shattered several windows.Captain Murakhtin’s account was sure to further inflame sentiment in Russia. Its defense minister announced on Wednesday that it would deploy its most powerful air defense system in Syria. Protesters gathered outside the Turkish Embassy in Moscow, pelting it with eggs and rocks that shattered several windows.
In Washington, a senior United States military official who has been briefed on the radar tracking of the Russian warplane said on Wednesday that the data showed the aircraft transited Turkish airspace, as Turkey has insisted. In Washington, a senior United States military official who has been briefed on the radar tracking of the Russian warplane said on Wednesday that the data showed that the aircraft transited Turkish airspace, as Turkey has insisted.
“They crossed into Turkish airspace,” the official said of the Russian pilots, speaking on the condition of anonymity as the official was not authorized to discuss confidential military reports.“They crossed into Turkish airspace,” the official said of the Russian pilots, speaking on the condition of anonymity as the official was not authorized to discuss confidential military reports.
Such data was not likely to deflate the pronounced anger and outrage on the Russian side. The country’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, said that it had “no intention” of going to war against Turkey but reinforced the sharp criticism of Turkey as a haven for terrorists that Russia started soon after the plane was shot down. Such data was not likely to deflate the pronounced anger and outrage on the Russian side. The country’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, said that Russia had “no intention” of going to war against Turkey but reinforced the sharp criticism of Turkey as a haven for terrorists that Russia started soon after the plane was shot down.
Mr. Lavrov repeated that he thought the shooting down of the fighter jet was a premeditated strike and hinted that the United States had a hand in it. “We have enough information to confirm that this was a preplanned act,” Mr. Lavrov said at a news conference. Turkey was just looking for a “pretext” to shoot down the plane, he said.Mr. Lavrov repeated that he thought the shooting down of the fighter jet was a premeditated strike and hinted that the United States had a hand in it. “We have enough information to confirm that this was a preplanned act,” Mr. Lavrov said at a news conference. Turkey was just looking for a “pretext” to shoot down the plane, he said.
The Russian foreign minister would not elaborate as to why Turkey planned such an attack, saying perhaps it was for domestic political reasons, or because larger allies wanted it, or to protect a border haven of its Syrian allies.The Russian foreign minister would not elaborate as to why Turkey planned such an attack, saying perhaps it was for domestic political reasons, or because larger allies wanted it, or to protect a border haven of its Syrian allies.
Mr. Lavrov suggested that the United States might have had a role in the attack, wondering if Washington had signed off on Turkey firing an America-made missile. In addition, the agreement that the United States negotiated with Russia on preventing accidental air force clashes over Syria was meant to cover allies like Turkey, he said, and he accused Ankara of not activating emergency communications.Mr. Lavrov suggested that the United States might have had a role in the attack, wondering if Washington had signed off on Turkey firing an America-made missile. In addition, the agreement that the United States negotiated with Russia on preventing accidental air force clashes over Syria was meant to cover allies like Turkey, he said, and he accused Ankara of not activating emergency communications.
It was clear that NATO members were critical of Turkey behind closed doors, Mr. Lavrov said, yet there was no remorse. He spoke by telephone with his Turkish counterpart, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, for more than an hour, Mr. Lavrov said. It was clear that NATO members were critical of Turkey behind closed doors, Mr. Lavrov said, yet there was no remorse. He said he spoke by telephone with his Turkish counterpart, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, for more than an hour.
Mr. Lavrov echoed President Vladimir V. Putin’s statement from a day earlier that the entire gamut of Russian-Turkish relations would be reviewed, but he did not name any specific steps. He repeated the Russian accusation that Turkey allowed terrorists free rein on its soil and said that needed to be addressed.Mr. Lavrov echoed President Vladimir V. Putin’s statement from a day earlier that the entire gamut of Russian-Turkish relations would be reviewed, but he did not name any specific steps. He repeated the Russian accusation that Turkey allowed terrorists free rein on its soil and said that needed to be addressed.
In Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he wanted to avoid any escalation with Russia, but he stuck to his position that Turkey was defending its own security.In Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he wanted to avoid any escalation with Russia, but he stuck to his position that Turkey was defending its own security.
“We have no intention of escalating this incident,” Mr. Erdogan said at a business event in Istanbul. “We are only defending our own security and the rights of our brothers.”“We have no intention of escalating this incident,” Mr. Erdogan said at a business event in Istanbul. “We are only defending our own security and the rights of our brothers.”
The Turkish prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, maintained that the plane was brought down because it had not responded to warnings, even if it flew over Turkey for 17 seconds, and that Turkey was not aware that it was a Russian warplane when its air force fired.The Turkish prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, maintained that the plane was brought down because it had not responded to warnings, even if it flew over Turkey for 17 seconds, and that Turkey was not aware that it was a Russian warplane when its air force fired.
He called Russia an “important partner” but also called for an end to Russian attacks along the border that are home to the Turkmen, an ethnic group close to the Turks.He called Russia an “important partner” but also called for an end to Russian attacks along the border that are home to the Turkmen, an ethnic group close to the Turks.
The shooting down of the plane was sure to aggravate attempts to forge a united global effort to confront the Islamic State and negotiate a political transition in Syria. Turkey opposes President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, and the Kremlin intervened militarily there to shore up his rule, hitting insurgents whom Ankara backs.The shooting down of the plane was sure to aggravate attempts to forge a united global effort to confront the Islamic State and negotiate a political transition in Syria. Turkey opposes President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, and the Kremlin intervened militarily there to shore up his rule, hitting insurgents whom Ankara backs.
In Moscow, the defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, announced that Russia would deploy its most modern air defense system, the S-400 mobile antiaircraft missile system, to the Hmeimim air base outside Latakia where its more than 50 warplanes and other aircraft are deployed.In Moscow, the defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, announced that Russia would deploy its most modern air defense system, the S-400 mobile antiaircraft missile system, to the Hmeimim air base outside Latakia where its more than 50 warplanes and other aircraft are deployed.
The system, known in the West as the SA-21 Growler, is designed to hit targets at long range, including other aircraft and missiles.The system, known in the West as the SA-21 Growler, is designed to hit targets at long range, including other aircraft and missiles.
Colonel Peshkov and Captain Murakhtin fell on mountainous territory of northern Latakia Province, which is controlled by a local militia called the 10th Brigade. Footage on YouTube showed insurgents on the ground opening fire with various automatic weapons at the floating figures and exulting over what appeared to be the body of one of them.Colonel Peshkov and Captain Murakhtin fell on mountainous territory of northern Latakia Province, which is controlled by a local militia called the 10th Brigade. Footage on YouTube showed insurgents on the ground opening fire with various automatic weapons at the floating figures and exulting over what appeared to be the body of one of them.
Five Mi-8 helicopters bearing search-and-rescue teams consisting of Russian special forces troops and their Syrian interpreters were dispatched to find the pilots, following a radio signal that one was emitting, according to Russian news reports.Five Mi-8 helicopters bearing search-and-rescue teams consisting of Russian special forces troops and their Syrian interpreters were dispatched to find the pilots, following a radio signal that one was emitting, according to Russian news reports.
The Russian special forces found Captain Murakhtin in the hands of local insurgents around noon on Tuesday and spent hours negotiating for his release, the reports said. He was brought back to the Russian base around 3:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Mr. Shoigu said. The whereabouts of the body of the dead pilot have not been confirmed.The Russian special forces found Captain Murakhtin in the hands of local insurgents around noon on Tuesday and spent hours negotiating for his release, the reports said. He was brought back to the Russian base around 3:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Mr. Shoigu said. The whereabouts of the body of the dead pilot have not been confirmed.
Mr. Putin said on national television that the pilot, Colonel Peshkov, would be posthumously awarded Russia’s highest military honor, the Hero of Russia.Mr. Putin said on national television that the pilot, Colonel Peshkov, would be posthumously awarded Russia’s highest military honor, the Hero of Russia.
Aleksander M. Pozynich, a Russian marine in Syria on contract who was killed when a search and rescue helicopter was blown up, , will also be given a medal, as will the rescued navigator, Captain Murakhtin, Mr. Putin said in brief remarks at an economic conference. Aleksander M. Pozynich, a Russian marine in Syria on contract who was killed when a search and rescue helicopter was blown up, will also be given a medal, as will the rescued navigator, Captain Murakhtin, Mr. Putin said in brief remarks at an economic conference.
Asked by Interfax how he felt after his plane was shot out from underneath him, Captain Murakhtin said he was eager to get back into combat. “I have a debt to pay back,” he said.Asked by Interfax how he felt after his plane was shot out from underneath him, Captain Murakhtin said he was eager to get back into combat. “I have a debt to pay back,” he said.