Russian journalist slams Kremlin's 'bullying' of Turkey

MOSCOW

A prominent Russian journalist Yuliya Latynina has criticized the Kremlin's “bullying" policy towards Turkey, it was reported Saturday.

"There is only one reality about the recent jet crisis: that is we are guilty...What Russia is doing right now is not geopolitical but bullying," Latynina said during a radio program in Moscow.

Latynina was referring to the downing of the Russian SU-24 jet by Turkey on Nov. 24 after it violated Turkish airspace despite repeated warnings. A Russian pilot was killed in the incident while another was rescued by Russian forces.

The writer said that Turkey had made several warnings before it downed the Russian jet. "Russia crossed its limits in this situation. And they [Turkey] downed our jet," Latynina said.

While Turkey provided radar data of its planes as evidence of Russia’s intrusion into its territory, Moscow insisted that the SU-24 had not breached the border.

Following the incident, Moscow announced wide-ranging sanctions against Turkey, including the end of visa-free travel and a ban on Turkish food products. Russia also called on its nationals to boycott Turkey as a tourist destination.