Special to WorldTribune.com

ANKARA — Turkey has reported an air confrontation with Russia.

The Turkish military said the Air Force intercepted a Russian aircraft over the Black Sea on Oct. 22.

The military identified the Russian aircraft as the Ilyushin Il-20 air transport, said to have been flying near the Turkish coast.

“Two F-16 jets were scrambled to prevent a potential violation of [Turkish air space],” the General Staff said.

This marked the first Turkish report of a confrontation with the Russian Air Force. Over the last 18 months, Turkey is said to have helped intercept several Iranian and Russian aircraft alleged to have been carrying weapons to Syria.

On Oct. 23, the General Staff said the Turkish Air Force, from its base
in the northeastern province of Artvin, monitored the flight of the Il-20
from Georgia through Bulgaria. The statement said the Russian aircraft was
intercepted off the Turkish port city of Ordu outside Turkish air space. The
aircraft was said to have been escorted to neighboring Bulgaria, which ended
the Turkish operation.

Officials said the Turkish Air Force has intensified surveillance
flights around its borders, particularly that with Syria. In September,
Turkish fighter-jets downed a Syrian military Mi-17 helicopter along the
900-kilometer border of the two countries.

  Il-20 air transport, In first, Mi-17 helicopter, Ordu, Turkish F-16s confront Russian transport over Black Sea, Turkish General Staff