Turkey warns Russia not to repeat rocket launcher incident

Turkey on Monday warned Russia's ambassador in Ankara that there should be no repeat of an incident after a Russian warship sailed through the Bosporus on Sunday with a soldier holding a shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile on the deck throughout the journey, an incident that Turkey called “provocative.”

Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov was summoned to Turkish Foreign Ministry headquarters on Monday. According to Foreign Ministry officals that Reuters cited, Turkey warned Russian ambassador against any repeat of the incident.

Photos of the Russian soldier holding the missile on his shoulder, ready to fire, on board the Caesar Kunikov throughout the ship's passage through the Bosporus were circulated on social media.

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has called the incident provocative and said Turkey has made the necessary response to Sunday's incident.

"The ship's passage in such a way was an openly provocative passage. This has to end," Çavuşoğlu said, but did not provide further details on a response.

The passage of the Russian warship through the Turkish straits comes amid escalating tension between the two countries after a Turkish F-16 recently downed a Russian Su-24 near the Syrian border. Turkey said the plane was shot down because it violated Turkish airspace, while Russia denied a violation had occurred and vowed serious consequences as a result.
 todayszaman.com with Reuters
7/12/15
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• Turkey to Summon Russian Envoy Over Pictures of Warship in Bosphorus (Media)

• Turkish FM slams Russia’s missile ‘provocation’ in Bosphorus

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