Russia and Turkey set up communication channel on flights in Syria

The Russian Defense Ministry has established a direct communication channel with the Turkish military regarding Russian aircraft in Syria.

The Russian Defense Ministry said yesterday that it had established a direct communication channel with the Turkish military to avoid incidents involving flights near the Turkish border, Interfax reported, citing Andrei Kartapolov, a senior official of the Russian General Staff.

Su-34, a type of aircraft used by Russia to conduct airstrikes in Syria. Photo: Flickr

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said he would consult with Turkish officials in Istanbul on October 18.

Türkiye shot down an unknown drone yesterday that violated its airspace near the border with Syria. Turkish authorities have sent a team to the crash site to determine who was operating the drone when it was shot down near the Turkish town of Kilis, about three kilometers from the Syrian border and about 90 kilometers from the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.

US officials said they believed the plane was Russian but it was too early to say. Earlier, RIA Novosti quoted a Russian military source as saying all Russian aircraft in Syria were "operating according to plan".

Russia, the Syrian armed forces and the United States have all used drones in Syria. Türkiye, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has repeatedly complained that Russian aircraft conducting airstrikes in Syria violate its airspace.

According to VNE