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Comment by Mikeb85 | Hacker News Reader

No, Turkey's own radar readings that it showed to the press (that is being paraded around Twitter right now) shows it was shot in Syrian territory. It flew over a piece of Turkish territory a few km wide, and was well within Syrian airspace when the missile hit.

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The fact that it was back in Syrian airspace (if this is true) when the missile hit is, of course, immaterial. If the plane was over Turkish airspace when the missile was fired, Turkey was justified in protecting its airspace.

Is it? Do you have a reference to relevant international laws?

I think that what matters first is when the missile was released and second that it was a recurring entry into Turkey airspace.

I think that both sides acted in a very unwise manner.

Edit: IANAL in international law of such concerns.

Yes, of course. But based on the maps Turkey is showing as 'proof', their case is pretty thin. The Russian plane flew over a strip of land that is barely even visible on a map of Turkey, never mind when flying at 6000m (the reported height) at high speed. The incursion likely lasted a dozen seconds or less. Turkey was obviously looking for the engagement.

This just reinforces what everyone already thinks, that Turkey is helping ISIS.

> This just reinforces what everyone already thinks, that Turkey is helping ISIS.

Turkey is helping some of the people Russia is fighting, but the people Russia is fighting aren't just Daesh, but every entity operating in Syria that isn't Assad's regime.

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