Russia says ties with Turkey to remain 'unaffected'

MOSCOW

Relations between Ankara and Moscow relations will not be affected by Russia’s recent airstrikes in Syria, Russian presidential press secretary said on Monday.

“Our bilateral relations with Turkey are quite comprehensive and based on strong grounds,” Dmitry Peskov told the media in Moscow, adding that he did not think that bilateral relations would get “badly affected” by the airstrikes.

Russia began flying combat missions over Syria on September 30 following an escalation in its military support for President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Despite claiming to be targeting Daesh, the U.S. and its allies have complained about Russian airstrikes allegedly targeting “moderate” forces fighting Assad.

About Russian fighter jet’s violation of Turkish air space Saturday, Peskov said: “Our ambassador [in Ankara] was summoned to [Turkish] Foreign Ministry and given a note, which we will check”.

A Russian fighter jet was intercepted by Turkish jets after violating Turkey’s air space Saturday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Monday. The Russian jet had crossed into southern Hatay province, according to a statement.

Also on Monday, Russian Defense Ministry announced that Russia-led coalition hit nine Daesh facilities within the last 24 hours.

According to a written statement released by the ministry, 25 air sorties were carried out from the Hmeymim airbase by Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 aircraft.

"Su-24M bombers destroyed an ISIS [Daesh] command center near Al-Rastan [Homs]. As a result of a direct hit, the object was completely destroyed," the statement said. "At Talbiseh [Homs], three terrorist objects have been engaged," it added.

Moreover, Jisr al-Shughur and Jabal Koba regions in Idlib and Bayt-Mnayna near Lattakia were also hit by Russia. The ministry also published some photographs of the operation on its official website.