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Poland bars Russian minister's jet from airspace Poland bars Russian minister's jet from airspace
(about 1 hour later)
Poland has refused to let a plane carrying Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu fly through its airspace.Poland has refused to let a plane carrying Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu fly through its airspace.
The plane turned back to the Slovakian capital, Bratislava. Mr Shoigu had been on an official visit to Slovakia.The plane turned back to the Slovakian capital, Bratislava. Mr Shoigu had been on an official visit to Slovakia.
Poland said entry was barred because the plane had changed its status from a civilian to a military flight, which required 72 hours' clearance. Poland said the plane had been barred because it had changed its status from a civilian to a military flight. It later permitted the flyover, after the flight was reverted to civilian status.
A senior Russian official was quoted as saying the move was a "violation of inter-state conduct". Russia said blocking the flight was a "violation of inter-state conduct".
The EU has imposed a travel ban on many Russian officials as part of the sanctions over Russia's involvement in Ukraine. However, Mr Shoigu is not one of the blacklisted officials.The EU has imposed a travel ban on many Russian officials as part of the sanctions over Russia's involvement in Ukraine. However, Mr Shoigu is not one of the blacklisted officials.
Ukraine had also refused to allow the flight to enter its airspace, Reuters and Russia's RIA news agency reported.Ukraine had also refused to allow the flight to enter its airspace, Reuters and Russia's RIA news agency reported.
'Crude violation''Crude violation'
A Polish armed forces spokesman, Lt Col Piotr Walatek, said military flights needed advance clearance. Russia's First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov described Poland's move as "a crude violation of the norms and ethics of inter-state conduct", Interfax news agency reported.
The flight had had civilian status when it left Moscow on Friday, he added. Later on Friday, a Polish armed forces spokesman, Lt Col Piotr Walatek, said permission was granted to the plane after it changed its status back to a civilian flight from a military one.
A spokesman for Poland's state air navigation services agency said the plane would be permitted to enter Polish airspace after it reverted its flight plan to a civilian one, The flight had civilian status when it left Moscow on Friday, but changed its status to military when it attempted to fly back, he said.
However, Russia's First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov described the move as "a crude violation of the norms and ethics of inter-state conduct", Interfax news agency reported. Military flights required 72-hours advance notice, he added.
Mr Shoigu was in Slovakia attending an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising against Nazi Germany, Russian media reported.Mr Shoigu was in Slovakia attending an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising against Nazi Germany, Russian media reported.
Poland has been a strong advocate of sanctions against Russia over Moscow's support for the pro-Russian separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine.Poland has been a strong advocate of sanctions against Russia over Moscow's support for the pro-Russian separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine.