Flights security

Russia demands UK explanation on 'authorization to shoot down Russian jets'

Russia has demanded an explanation from the UK about media reports that British pilots have been given the permission to attack Russian jets in Iraq.

"Today, the military attaché at the British Embassy in Moscow was summoned to the Russian Defense Ministry," the Russian Defense Ministry press service said in a statement on Sunday.

"He was handed a note with a request to provide official explanations on information, published in the British media, citing high-ranking sources in the Defense Ministry of the country, on alleged directives to use weapons against Russian aircraft 'in case of threat to their lives,' received by Royal Air Force pilots," the statement read.

The British military attaché reportedly said that he had no information on the issue and would submit an official reply in the nearest future.