Russia Blames US for Near-Collision of Planes over Syria
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A Russian military spokesman blamed the United States for a near-collision of the countries' warplanes in Syrian airspace.
Major-General Igor Konashenkov said in a statement Saturday that the Oct. 17 incident involved a Sukhoi-35, Russia's most advanced fighter jet, and an American E-3 radar plane near the city of Deir ez-Zour, AP reported.
Konashenkov said Russia had informed the US military of the Su-35's intent to fly in the area.
But, he said the American plane unexpectedly descended by about one kilometer (0.6 miles) and came within 500 meters (0.3 miles) of the Russian plane
The incident was first reported on Friday by a US military spokesman, who said it had been raised with Russian commanders but deliberately not made public.
Konashenkov said the Americans apologized for the incident.
