Turkish soldier
© AFP 2016/ ILYAS AKENGIN
The Russian Defence Ministry obtained video proof of Syrian civilian areas being shelled from Turkish border posts, Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said.

The Russian Defence Ministry expects an explanation from NATO, Pentagon and Turkish Armed Forces on the incident. The corresponding statement was made on Monday by the Ministry's spokesman Igor Konashenkov.

Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov demonstrated the video depicting a part of the Syrian-Turkish border during the press-conference.

"This facility is a Turkish border outpost, which did not have any firing points a few months ago," he said.


According to the spokesman, the Ministry of Defense recently received the video footage from the Syrian General Staff, which shows "self-propelled heavy artillery weapons at the Turkish outpost in question."

"This is what we call a fact. This is irrefutable proof that Turkish armed forces shell borderline Syrian settlements with large-caliber artillery systems," Konashenkov stressed.

"Those who warn us of consequences <...> should think first of the trap they themselves are being pulled into by the Turkish partners," the general said.

"We expect an immediate reaction and explanations of the actions of Turkish military by NATO and the Pentagon," Konashenkov said, recalling the US's notably short response time to Ankara's allegations that a Russian warplane violated Turkish airspace.