The Turkish PM alleged that the Moscow-to-Damascus commercial flight diverted to Ankara was carrying munitions for the Syrian army. The Russian Foreign Ministry said it received no explanation from Turkey detailing the plane’s cargo and its seizure.
“It is absolutely clear who sent the cargo and who was going to receive it. This was munitions from the Russian equivalent of our Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation being sent to the Syrian Defense Ministry,” Erdogan told journalists, referring to the state-run Turkish manufacturer that supplies the country’s army.
“The examination [of the seized cargo] is continuing and the necessary will follow,” the PM added.
“The Russian Federation has still received no information about the cargo confiscated by the Turkey, the reasons and considerations of the forfeiture. Russia has repeatedly demanded and continues to insist on submission of this information,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
