The place where Russian Su-27 crashed in Lithuania
Photo: ELTA
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Su-27 Crashed Intentionally, Lithuania Says
The remains of the air-to-air missile and two kilograms of radioactive metal were spotted yesterday at the place, where Russia’s Su-27 fighter crashed in Lithuania past Thursday. Vilnius still rebuffs all claims of Moscow to extradite the pilot and return aircraft wreckage.
In a tough statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry Monday night, Moscow demanded extradition for the pilot of the crashed fighter, Russia’s Air Force Major Valery Troyanov, and return of the aircraft, which is the property of Russia.
Vilnius rebuffed in no time by releasing a note of protest that calls on Russia to keep out of investigation and reminds that Lithuania has the right to execute justice in its own territory.
As before, Vilnius doubts that Russia’s Su-27 emerged in Lithuania by accident. According to Defense Minister Gediminas Kirkilas, the crash could have been planned in advance.
“We have lost aircraft, only an idiot can carry out surveillance operation in such a manner,” Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov was abrupt.
Meanwhile, in Lithuania, they are sure Troyanov has intentionally trespassed Lithuanian border, the more so that exactly he was the trespasser in time of last year’s military exercise of the CIS Air Defense. Besides, Russia didn’t mention the plane had the air-to-air missiles aboard, Lithuanian reporters pointed out.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Sep. 21, 2005
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