Russia To Release Downed Warplane’s Black Box Analysis On Monday

Russia To Release Downed Warplane’s Black Box Analysis On Monday
Agency Report
— Dec 18, 2015 6:37 pm | Leave a comment
A Russian air force commander said on Friday that Russia will on Monday release analysis from the black box of its warplane shot down by Turkey on Nov. 24 near the Syrian border.
Russia maintains that the plane never crossed into Turkish airspace, and the black box analysis is expected to show whether that is true.
Gen. Sergei Dronov, a Deputy Chief of the Russian Air Force said that British and Chinese officials would help oversee the investigation.
However, the analysis might be complicated by damage to the black box, which was located at the rear of the plane, near where it was shot by a Turkish fighter jet.
The Russian Su-24 was returning from a bombing mission when it was shot down on Nov. 24 by a Turkish F-16.
Ankara has said it warned the plane before firing.
Turkey, a NATO member state, alleges that the Russian plane crossed over a sliver of Turkish territory that juts down into Syria.
The incident has devastated traditionally warm relations between the countries, as Russia responded with economic and travel sanctions against Turkey.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that dealing with the Turkish leadership has become practically impossible.
Putin suggested that Turkey might have shot down the plane in an effort to please the United States.
Russia supports the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad, whereas Turkey and the US back certain rebel groups fighting to overthrow that government. (NAN)