Russia’s NATO Overpass recalls Türkiye’s deadly but risky decision 10 years ago
Tuvan Gumrukcu and Jonathan Spicer
Ankara (Reuters) – Russia’s rash in violation of NATO airspace last month prompted some allies to recall a rapid and deadly reaction from Turkey a decade ago when it shot down a Russian fighter jet that crossed the southern border.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene said in an X post that Turkey set an example for NATO 10 years ago as she urged to take stronger action in the face of Russia’s “test” today.
However, in 2015, Türkiye was considered to be revealed by NATO’s moderate reaction and the economic consequences of Russian jets. This ultimately led to Ankara – and ironically – seeking closer ties with Moscow, even in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Turkey suffered after economic events
On November 24, 2015, Türkiye’s F-16 jet shot down Russian SU-24 near the Syrian border. Dramatic footage shows the burning plane entering the wooded ridge, the first such military involvement between NATO members and Moscow since the alliance was founded in 1949.
Türkiye, which has the second largest army in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, said it had issued repeated warnings before choosing the regular rules of participation. Moscow denied any violations against Ankara, frozen relations and restrictions on trade and tourism restrictions.
Within hours, NATO convened an emergency meeting and expressed solidarity on Türkiye’s territorial integrity, but also calmed down. Its next steps, including surveillance and early patrol flights, are designed to cancel escalation, rather than court confrontation.
But officials say that Russia (Russia) still feels vulnerable to Turkey, is a Black Sea neighbor, and it has already been with Russia, and Moscow has supported the rebels with then-Presidents Bashar al-Assad and Ankara.
“Action is better than words,” said former Turkish ambassador Timur Soylemez, who has experience in our relationships.
He said that after the incident, the United States and other allies withdraw key defensive assets from Turkey, leaving it “for itself… facing the threat of ongoing airspace violations and missile strikes from Syria.” “This sets the scene for the event and its consequences.”
Türkiye’s economy was hit by Russia’s trade curb and later issued a so-called apology in Moscow.
At first, Türkiye turned to NATO allies to strengthen its defense capabilities, but decided not to buy the US Patriot missiles due to the price.
Later – driven by a failed coup in 2016 and a settlement with Moscow, it purchased the Russian S-400, prompting U.S. sanctions and Turkey to remove itself from the F-35 jet construction and buying plans, but will still leave us still fighting the U.S. bond.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has established cordial ties with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, refusing to join Western sanctions on Moscow and holding negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations, although the peace remains far away.
NATO’s response to new invasions is stronger
The Ukrainian war has entered its fourth year and has changed the security environment in Europe, threatening to spill over to NATO members in Eastern Europe in recent months.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk called it a “massive provocation” after Poland shot down drones on its territory on September 10. Estonia said on September 19, three Russian troops violated their airspace for 12 minutes.
Russia denies any hostile intentions toward NATO.
Last week, Denmark and Norway temporarily closed their airspace after repeatedly seeing drones. Denmark pointed at Russia’s finger and denied participation.
The invasion triggered a strong and unified response from NATO and prompted plans to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities.
NATO members are now competing for jets within minutes and under political advice under Article 4 of its founding treaty to show unity of allies.
But, at least so far, NATO avoided Türkiye’s example of shooting down a Russian plane in 2015, Putin said the move could trigger a dangerous escalation.
(Reported by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Jonathan, Reported by Daren Butler and Gareth Jones)
