Russian Officials Say Intent Was To 'Identify', Not Threaten

U.S. military officials say that a Russian fighter jet closed within two miles of a U.S. warplane over the weekend, prompting additional talks between the two nations.

Fox News reports that Russian defense spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said that the purpose of the close encounter was "not to intimidate, but to identify the object," according to the Wall Street Journal. Konashenkov said the two jets were within 2 or 3 kilometers of one another.

Russia has been conducting airstrikes in Syria since September 30, they say against ISIS targets in western Syria. But U.S. military officials continue to say that Russian warplanes are hitting U.S.-trained forces opposing Syrian President Bashar Assad. One U.S. official told Fox News that Russia's targeting of the CIA-trained rebels is "deliberate." The official estimated that as many as 150 rebels trained by the CIA have been killed in Russian airstrikes.

Another official said that Russian President Vladimir Putin might lose support if a Russian helicopter or fighter aircraft were shot down and Russian soldiers were captured. The official said that "In the modern age of social media, one captured Russian soldier paraded by extremists could shock the Russian population.”

U.S. officials say that the discussions between the two countries are focused on keeping the airspace over Syria safe for pilots of both nations, and not to discuss coordination between U.S. and Russian military forces.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.defense.gov