Putin Says Israeli Air Force Operations In Syria Violate Syria's Sovereignty - Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone that Israeli Air Force operations in Syria are conducted in violation of Syria's sovereignty, the Kremlin press service said in a statement Tuesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th September, 2018) Russian President Vladimir Putin told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone that Israeli Air Force operations in Syria are conducted in violation of Syria's sovereignty, the Kremlin press service said in a statement Tuesday.

"Vladimir Putin reminded [Netanyahu] that such operations by the Israeli Air Force are carried out in violation of Syria's sovereignty. In that case, Russian-Israeli agreements on the prevention of dangerous incidents were not observed too, and as a result, the Russian aircraft got under Syrian air defense fire," it said.

The statement said Putin called on the Israeli side to prevent such situations in future.

The Russian Defense Ministry said contact with Russia's Il-20 returning to the Khmeimim airbase was lost late on Monday.

The ministry said that around that time four Israeli F-16 fighters attacked Syrian targets in Latakia. It said that Israeli pilots, using the Russian jet as a shield, put it under the attack of Syria's air defenses, and the Il-20 was shot down by an S-200 missile. Fifteen Russian servicemen were killed.

The Defense Ministry said Israeli aircraft deliberately created a dangerous situation in Latakia. Israel had not warned the command of the Russian group of troops in Syria about the planned operation in the area. The Russian military said it regards Israel's provocative actions as hostile and reserves the right to a proper response.