MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Cyprus expressed condolences to the Russian government over the downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber jet by Turkey, the presidency of the Republic of Cyprus said in a statement Wednesday.
"The Cyprus Government expresses its deep sorrow for the loss of human lives and its condolences to the Russian Government and the people of Russia," the statement said.
Cyprus expressed a deep concern following "the unacceptable shootdown" of the Russian jet.
"At the time when efforts are being made for coordinated actions among the international community, aiming to fight terrorism, yesterday’s incident undermines and hurts all the efforts that call for powers such as the USA, Russia and the EU to be working jointly in order to achieve this goal," the statement said.
Ankara claimed it downed the Russian airplane because it violated Turkish airspace. Both the Russian General Staff and the Syrian Air Defense Command confirmed that the Su-24 never crossed into Turkish airspace, in accordance with precise objective control data.
