Alleged Russia-US 'Close Calls' in Syria 'Nonexistent Problem' - Russian MoD

© Photo : Russian Defence MinistryEveryday life of the Russian air group at the Hmeymim airfield in Syria
Everyday life of the Russian air group at the Hmeymim airfield in Syria - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The alleged Russia-US 'close calls' in Syria are a 'nonexistent problem' and the US has not raised any concerns during regular video conferences, the Russian Defense Ministry's spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said on Wednesday.

US fighter jets in Syria - Sputnik International
US, Coalition's Secrecy in Syria Helps Evade Responsibility for Civilian Deaths
Russian pilots are very professional, in the course of their work they observe all safety precautions, Maj. Gen. Konashenkov said.

This statement comes as a response to an earlier report by the Wall Street Journal, which cited Brig. Gen. Charles Corcoran, the commander of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, alleging that Russian planes in Syria came close to US aircraft despite a US-Russian agreement which was signed in October 2015 to mitigate incidents in Syrian airspace. Russian aviators are ostensibly "either unaware of the rules of the road or unable or unwilling to follow them consistently," the newspaper asserted.

"Russian pilots regularly remind the US pilots and other pilots of the coalition in the skies above Syria that they are not alone or invisible there," Maj. Gen. Konashekov said. "At the same time, our pilots are very professional, observing all safety precautions."

He further noted that during the regular video conferences with the Russian Ministry of Defense, the US did not raise this issue.

"It is difficult to understand whether the statements made by General Corcoran are his honest opinion or if he, like many others, was used by the outgoing US administration in the course of their farewell Russophobic spectacle," Maj. Gen. Konashekov said.

Never miss a story again — sign up to our Telegram channel and we'll keep you up to speed!

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала