Lavrov on Su-24 Downing: Turkey Knows Repeat of Scenario is Impossible

The repeat of the November 2015 downing of a Russian jet by Turkey over Syrian territory is impossible because Ankara is aware of safety measures Moscow imposed to prevent further incidents, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Sputnik.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian-Turkish relations deteriorated following the downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber by a Turkish F-16 fighter in Syria on November 24, 2015. Moscow imposed a number of restrictive measures on Ankara in response to what Russian President Vladimir Putin classified as a "stab in the back."

"Our assessment is absolutely clear: the Turkish leadership has committed a crime and an error… It is now no longer possible because all measures have been taken to avoid any accidents, and the Turks are aware of this," Lavrov said.

Russia deployed S-400 missile systems at its airbase in Syria following the downing of a Russian Su-24 Fencer by a Turkish F-16 fighter on November 24.