Russia expects explanation from US on downed Syrian jet

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Moscow expects "detailed" explanations from Washington after the U.S. on Sunday shot down a Syrian drone bomber, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

"There is a mechanism that is now suspended after the U.S. shot down [Syrian] aircraft. We requested detailed explanations from the Defense Department. We expect that they will be provided," Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russia's official TASS news agency.

Lavrov said the mechanism worked "quite well", adding: "The Americans represented not only themselves, but the entire coalition."

On Sunday, a U.S. F-18 Super Hornet shot down a Syrian government SU-22 drone after it dropped bombs near troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are currently moving towards Raqqah, Daesh’s Syrian stronghold.

The U.S. backs the SDF and American special forces soldiers often accompany SDF troops as advisers and trainers.

Moscow, for its part, on Monday suspended a crucial safe flights over Syria deal with the U.S. under a memorandum and called the downing of the jet a "violation" of the Syria's sovereignty and international law.