Global Geopolitical Series: Diplomatic feud grows as Russia says Israel lying about downed jet

A diplomatic feud had broken out between Russia and Israel on 17th of September, over Israel’s attacks targeting Iranian supported militants on Syrian city of Latakia, which is home to the biggest Russian air base in the region that led to a chain of events which finally resulted in the downing of a Russian military Jet being shot down by Syrian S-200 surface to air missiles deployed by the Syrian government.

According to Russia, Israel had used the Russian jet IL-20 plane as a cover for their attack and knowingly. As the incident happened: around 19:00 GMT, four Israeli Air Force F-16 fighter jets had carried a guided aerial bomb attack on Syrian targets near the city of Latakia. They started their target run at a low altitude from the Mediterranean Sea. A French Frigate, as well as a Russian IL-20 plane, was operating in the region. The Syrian F-16s allegedly used the Russian IL-20 plane, which has far wider reflective area compared to F-16s were shot down by Syrian anti-aircraft fire from the S-200 missile defense system. There were reportedly 14 military personnel on board of IL-20, who were killed.

Russia added that Israel, which according to its own admission conducted hundreds of air raids in Syrian over the past year or so, didn’t warn Russia of any operation in the region. Russia added that it reserves the right to retaliate.

However, as in the aftermath of the event, Prime Minister Netanyahu personally called President Putin of Russia to diffuse the tension and describing the incident as the accident with a promise of full cooperation in the investigation, it seemed for a short period that things have settled down.

But, Russia, after analysis is back in business suggesting that its original story stands true and Israeli F-16s deliberately did use the IL-20 for cover from the firings. Russia announced that it has proof be releasing additional data from its S400 missile system. Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said, “We will give additional data available to the Russian defense ministry to track the Israeli planes and the S-200 system’s missile literally second-by-second……Today's data no longer suggests, but clearly proves that the blame for the tragedy with the Russian Il-20 aircraft lies entirely with the Israeli air force and with those who authorized this kind of activity”.

He further showed radar slides during a press conference to prove his theory and to refute Israel's claim that Israeli jets left the area at the time of the incident, “The signal from the Russian Il-20 disappeared from the radar. But I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Israeli F-16’s are still in this area, with one of them being in the direct vicinity of the site of the incident. Please note that the number of this air target of the Israeli F-16 has changed. It means that it had changed the direction and altitude of the flight immediately after the incident. It is clearly recorded by the S-400’s radars".

Israel’s military has sent a delegation of senior air force officials headed by IAF commander Maj.-Gen. Amikam Norkin to Moscow to present the IDF’s investigation into the incident.