HOMS, Syria (AP) — The latest developments on the war in Syria. All times local.
12:45 p.m.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says he would like international experts to examine data from the black box belonging to the Russian warplane downed over the Turkish-Syria border last month.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday brought to the Kremlin the black box from the Russian Su-24 on a bombing mission in Syria which Turkey shot down on Nov. 24 for allegedly violating its airspace. Two Russian servicemen were killed. Putin asked Shoigu not to open the box until Russia invites international experts to examine them.
Russian officials have vigorously rejected Turkey’s claim that its plane violated Turkish airspace and said data from the black box should prove them right.
The downing of the warplane has brought Russia’s previously warm ties with Turkey to a post-Cold War low, with Russia imposing economic sanctions on Turkey.
___
12:30 p.m.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says Russia’s air force operation in Syria is not a burden on the country’s budget.
The Russian economy, which is forecast to decline 4 percent this year, is going through a difficult time because of Western economic sanctions coupled with low oil prices. Critics have accused the Kremlin of spending taxpayer money on the bombing operation against Islamic State militants in Syria while the budget is scheduled to run a 3 percent deficit next year.
Speaking Wednesday at a televised press conference in Moscow, Medvedev said by launching the air force operation on Sept. 30, the defense ministry did not go over its planned budget. He said the Russian military has not asked the government for further funds for the campaign.
Comment count on this article reflects comments made on Breitbart.com and Facebook. Visit Breitbart's Facebook Page.