Turkish president Recep Erdogan wrote Vladimir Putin explaining that the shooting down of the Russian SU – 24 was not intentional, and was a mistake for which he apologizes.
Erdogan in his letter to Putin wrote that he is ready to do anything “in order to reestablish Russian – Turkish relations to their prior state.” He also sent his condolences to the family of the Russian fighter pilot, and announced the beginning of an investigation launched against the Turkish soldier suspected of downing the plane, Alparslan Celik.
On November 24th of 2015, a Russian “SU – 24” fighter plane was downed over the Turkish – Syrian border, as a result of which Russian – Turkish relations seriously deteriorated. Russia described the event as a “stab in the back.”
