US, NATO, Turkey testing Russia's patience: Analyst

Turkey’s move in targeting a Russian aircraft over Syria was a “dangerous” and “provocative” event that might lead to a war between the US, NATO and Russia, says an American analyst.

Referring to a Russian Su-24 warplane’s downing by Turkish F16s on Tuesday, Bruce Gagnon told Press TV on Wednesday that Ankara could not have carried out the act without help from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

“It must be remembered that Turkey is a member of NATO,” Gagnon said.

“There is no way that they would have taken such a stance, trying to shoot down a Russian plane on their own,” the analyst added. “I believe they probably went through NATO.”

Even the assumption that the Russian jet did violate the Turkish aerial borders does not justify unwillingness on Ankara’s part to abide by the engagement rules designed for such confrontations, Gagnon noted.

“Turkey made no radio communication with the Russian plane, they made no efforts whatsoever to do any of that which further leads one to believe the Russian side that they were not actually in Turkish territory,” he said.

Gagnon cited the Russian jet’s mission to bomb Turkey-bond Daesh oil tankers as another reason that prompted the attack.

“The Russian plane was bombing a column of ISIS oil trucks heading to Turkey, which has been a large purchaser of ISIS oil,” he said, using an alternative acronym for the terrorist group.

He called Turkey “an integral part” of Daesh operations which provides the terror network with a “safe zone” for oil smuggling and also hospitals to treat their wounded.

“People really need to see the writing on the wall here, see the bigger picture of what is going on,” Gagnon said. “Once again the United States and its NATO allies are out destabilizing things, and in this case creating really severe situation with Russia that very well could lead to a direct shooting war between the United States, NATO and Russia.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described Turkey’s hostile act as a “stab in the back,” administered by "the accomplices of terrorists."

He also warned the NATO member against possible consequences of the action, saying, "We will never tolerate such crimes like the one committed today."

As a result of the attack, which cost the Russian military 2 lives, Moscow is planning to deploy its sophisticated S-400 missile defense systems to Syria.

Russian Navy’s Moskva missile cruiser, equipped with advanced air defense systems is also slated to be stationed off the coast of Syria’s Latakia province.

Russia has been conducting airstrikes on Daesh positions at the request of the Syrian government since late September.

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