BISHKEK, September 20 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, currently on a visit to the Kyrgyz capital, said it was obvious that the pilot of the Russian Su-27 Flanker fighter that crashed over Lithuania last Thursday had no intention of intruding into Lithuanian airspace.
"The Lithuanian side is questioning the intentions of the pilot, implying that the plane was conducting a reconnaissance operation targeting the Lithuanian air defense system," Ivanov said.
"Only an idiot could conduct reconnaissance in such a way," he added.
The minister said Major Valery Troyanov, who ejected from the plane, was acting according to instructions.
"Having lost his orientation in the air, the pilot of the Su-27 was forced to fly several circles to burn fuel and find a safe place to bail out," Ivanov said, adding that the pilot had made the right decision not to drop four air-to-air missiles.
Russia is ready to pay Lithuania 3,000 euros for expenses related to the plane crash.
Ivanov stressed that the pilot, who accidentally landed in Lithuania, was under immunity according to international law.
