quote:

Russian military aircraft downed by Syrian forces, killing 15; Moscow blames Israeli aggression

A Russian military spy plane carrying 15 over the Mediterranean Sea was downed Monday by an anti-aircraft missile from Syrian forces, prompting finger pointing by Moscow over what is called an "intentional provocation" by Israel.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the Il-20 "coot" jet was hit 22 miles off the coast as it was returning to the Russian base near the Syrian city of Lattakia.
russia-jet

The Il-20 is a military version of the Il-18 passenger airplane, which first flew in 1957 and is seen as one of the most durable planes from the Soviet era (iStock)

"The Israeli pilots were using the Russian aircraft as a shield and pushed it into the line of fire of the Syrian defense," Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said in a statement.

Russia said Israel did not warn it of its operation over Latakia province until one minute before the strikes, which did not give the Russian plane enough time to escape.

The Russian defense minister told his Israeli counterpart that Israel is "fully to blame," according to Russian reports.

Konashenkov called Israeli military's actions "irresponsible" and viewed them as "hostile," according to Reuters.

"This absolutely does not correspond to the spirit of Russian-Israeli partnership,” Konashenkov said, according to the wire service, citing Interfax news agency.

The ministry accused the Israeli army of "intentional provocation."

“We reserve the right to take commensurate measures in response,” Konashenkov said, according to the report. He did not specify what the measures would be.

Russia President Vladimir Putin reportedly expressed his condolences for those killed.

A recovery operation in the Mediterranean Sea is underway.

Israeli and French fighters were attacking targets at the time, Moscow said, according to Reuters.

A spokesman for France’s military denied any involvement.

Israel’s military, prime minister’s office and the Foreign Ministry declined to comment, Reuters reported.

The Il-20 is a military version of the Il-18 passenger airplane, which first flew in 1957 and is seen as one of the most durable planes from the Soviet era. Kitted out with electronic equipment and external antennae, it is still used by the Russian Air Force today, according to globalsecurity.org.

Russia has been a key backer of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad and it has two military bases in the country, including one close to the Mediterranean coast.

Capt. Bill Urban, a spokesman for the United States Central Command, referred questions on the incident to the Russian Defense Ministry, the New York Times reported.

“The U.S. was not involved in any strikes in Western Syria or in the shoot down of any planes tonight,” Urban said on Monday evening, according to the paper.

Sima Shine, a former senior Mossad official and ex-deputy director-general at the Strategic Affairs Ministry, told Israel's Army Radio station that the shooting down is problematic both militarily and internally from a Russian perspective.

"I think it will impose very serious restriction on Israel's freedom of activity," she said.

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Originally posted by stoic-one:
"Russia blames Israel because it doesn't understand combat tactics"

Got it.

quote:

Originally posted by WingedMedic:

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:
"Russia blames Israel because it doesn't understand combat tactics"

Got it.

This! If this really is what happened, props to the Izzys for being resourceful! Syria should have “known their target.”

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:

quote:

Originally posted by WingedMedic:

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:
"Russia blames Israel because it doesn't understand combat tactics"

Got it.

This! If this really is what happened, props to the Izzys for being resourceful! Syria should have “known their target.”

Also don't point a missile at anything you are not willing to destroy.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
^^^ What is it the Europeans call it? An "own goal" or something?

Ah, yes. Israel admits to running a couple of hundred raids into Syria and loses one plane, while France does it often enough that it doesn't excite comment and has lost no planes that anyone's heard of.

But apparently Russian missiles in the hands of Russian allies are good enough to take out a Russian civilian airplane with military markings full of Russian spies.

I believe the technically appropriate response is BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

quote:

"This absolutely does not correspond to the spirit of Russian-Israeli partnership,” Konashenkov said, according to the wire service, citing Interfax news agency.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:

quote:

Originally posted by WingedMedic:

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:
"Russia blames Israel because it doesn't understand combat tactics"

Got it.

This! If this really is what happened, props to the Izzys for being resourceful! Syria should have “known their target.”

Also don't point a missile at anything you are not willing to destroy.

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Originally posted by ArLEOret:
The Jews always get the blame. What was the Rusky doing there in the first place?

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Originally posted by RNshooter:... Here's hoping that doesn't mean missile strikes inside Israel.

Bruce

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Originally posted by RNshooter:
It helps Russia's case that the Israelis are so, so good at whacking people and then holding a press conference where all they say is "Who, me?" in their most unconvincing manner while laughing up their sleeves.
It has gotten them an aura of "John Wick Babayaga" whenever someone gets killed that they don't like.

The Russians are going to use it as an excuse to step up their involvement. Here's hoping that doesn't mean missile strikes inside Israel.

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:...
And the Russians still haven't backtracked on their decision to keep the Syrians from attacking Idlib.

We shall see, we shall see.