TURKEY CONDEMNS RUSSIAN 'PROVOCATION' IN BOSPHORUS

Antalya, 25 Shafar 1437/7 December (MINA) – A Russian serviceman holding a surface-to-air missile launcher as his warship passed through the Bosphorus on Sunday has been called a provocation by Turkey’s foreign minister.

Footage shown on Turkish TV shows the sailor holding the launcher on his shoulder in a firing position as the Caesar Kunikov landing ship passed Istanbul as it sailed from the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, Anadolu Agency reports as quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

Responding to the footage on NTV, Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in the southern Turkish province of Antalya the incident was a “provocation”.

He added: “It is not the right approach.”

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Tensions between Russia and Turkey have been high since Turkey shot down a Russian warplane after it violated Turkish airspace near the Syrian border on Nov. 24.

Despite receiving numerous warnings, the SU-24 bomber crossed into Hatay province and was shot down by Turkish F-16s. Russia has since announced economic sanctions against Turkey.

Referring to the Bosphorus incident, Cavusoglu said Turkey would react appropriately to perceived threats. (T/P010/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)