LONDON, United Kingdom. Russia called in Britain’s military attache in Moscow to explain claims RAF pilots had been given permission to shoot down Russian combat planes in the Middle East.
It followed reports – disputed by the Foreign Office – that Tornado fighters targeting Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq had been armed with missiles designed for aerial combat.
Russia started bombing rebel groups in neighbouring Syria earlier this month in support of the regime of President Bashar al Assad.
Moscow insists the military action is against IS targets.
But the West has claimed other groups opposed to the Syrian leader are also being hit.
The Russian ambassador in London, Alexander Yakovenko, said he “urgently requested explanations” from the Foreign Office, according to The Times newspaper.
Britain’s Moscow defence attache met the Russian Ministry of Defence on Sunday and restated the UK’s concerns about Russian military involvement in Syria.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “The Russian government sought clarification over inaccurate newspaper reports concerning RAF rules of engagement in Iraq.
“The defence attache reiterated the British government’s concerns about Russia’s military operation in Syria, including targeting legitimate opposition groups, using unguided weaponry and leading to large numbers of civilian deaths.”
Credit: Sky News
