Russian embassy: Israel’s irresponsible acts let to plane downing in Syria

Moscow’s embassy in Tel Aviv lashes out at Israel for its “irresponsible and unfriendly actions,” which led to the deaths of 15 Russian servicemen aboard an ill-fate aircraft in Syria, as Israel’s air force commander visits Russia to give explanations on the tragic incident.

In a Thursday tweet, the Russian diplomatic mission pinned the blame for the recent accidental downing of the surveillance plane in Syria’s Latakia Province on Israel’s Air Force, which was conducting aerial assaults against Syrian army positions when the incident happened.

“Moscow views as irresponsible and unfriendly actions of Israeli Air Force, which exposed Russian Il-20 aircraft to danger and lead to death of 15 servicemen,” the tweet said.

“Russia would take all necessary measures to eliminate threat to life and security of our military fighting against terrorism,” it added.

The Russian Il-20 was mistakenly shot down by Syrian air defenses when it was preparing to land in the Moscow-run Hmeimim airbase in Latakia. The Syrian S-200 missile defense system was responding to a wave of strikes by four Israeli warplanes.

Moscow blamed Tel Aviv for the incident, saying its military planes deliberately “created a dangerous situation” that led to the crash.

The Russian military also said the ill-fated plane was used as a cover by the Israeli air force, and that Moscow reserves the right to give a due response.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in turn, censured Israeli air raids as a breach of Syrian sovereignty, saying the regime failed to respect previous agreements on the prevention of such incidents in Syrian skies.

Israel’s envoy to Moscow was also summoned to the Russia Foreign Ministry.

EA