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An RA-89075 Ir Aero Russia Superjet 95-LR-100 and an RA-89085 Sukhoi OKB Russia Superjet 100-95B were seen flying in opposite directions around Turkey at around 12.20am. The two Russian registered jets were travelling at between 452.6 and 392.5 nautical miles per hour respectively.
@CivMilAir shared screenshots showing the two Kremlin-backed jets flying over Turkey.
They said: “Meanwhile, not avoiding Turkish airspace… 2 x Russian registered jets.
“Turkey – the ONLY @NATO member country that still allows Russian registered aircraft to come & go freely.”
In comparison, the UK clamped down on Russian aircraft shortly after Vladimir Putin launched the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.
JUST IN: Ukraine’s bid to join EU could take up to 20 years as calls for alternative alliance made
Writing on Twitter on February 25, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Putin’s actions are unlawful and anyone benefiting from Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is not welcome here.”
The Welwyn Hatfield MP added: “I’ve strengthened our ban in the UK so that no Russian private jet can fly in UK airspace, or touchdown – effective immediately.”
Another separate post highlighted how a US Air Force aircraft flew over Bulgaria to avoid Turkey’s airspace.
The RQ-4 Global Hawk could be seen moving away from Turkey while flying over neighbouring Greece as it moved towards the Balkan EU member state.
However, Turkey has described the invasion as a “war” and blocked Russian warships from the Black Sea.
Ankara has also frustrated Kyiv by refusing to sanction the invaders.
According to the Washington Post, Turkey hopes to encourage sanctioned Russian oligarchs to plough their wealth into Turkey’s tanking economy and continue importing Russian oil.
However, Ankara announced that Turkish air space had been closed to military and civilian planes carrying troops from Russia to Syria in April.
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