Shoigu Says Russia To Supply S-300 Air Defense Systems To Syria In Light Of Il-20 Crash

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Monday that Russia would take a series of steps aimed at boosting the safety of Russian troops in Syria following the fatal crash of a Russian Il-20 plane last week.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th September, 2018) Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Monday that Russia would take a series of steps aimed at boosting the safety of Russian troops in Syria following the fatal crash of a Russian Il-20 plane last week.

On September 17, the Russian Hmeimim air base in Syria lost contact with the crew of the military aircraft, which was monitoring the situation on the ground in Syria's Idlib province. At the same time, four Israeli F-16 jets were hitting Syrian targets in Latakia province. According to Shoigu, Israel had not notified the Russian military of its airstrikes until only one minute before the fact and failed to provide the location of its bombers to Russia. As a result, the Il-20 was caught in the crossfire and downed by a missile launched by Syria's S-200 air defense system.

According to Shoigu, the Israeli military used the Russian jet as a shield, killing all 15 crew members on board.

RESUMING S-300 DELIVERIES IN RESPONSE TO CRASH

"[The incident] forced us to respond appropriately in order to improve the safety of Russian troops performing tasks to combat international terrorism in Syria," Shoigu said.

In accordance with Russian President Vladimir Putin's order, the ministry will boost Syria's air defense capacity.

The Syrian military will get S-300 surface-to-air missile systems within two weeks, Shoigu said, adding that the system was capable of intercepting air threats at a range of more than 155 miles and simultaneously hitting several aerial targets.

The minister further recalled that Russia canceled its planned S-300 deliveries at Israel's request back in 2013.

"Today, the situation has changed. And not through our fault," Shoigu said.

OTHER MEASURES ON RUSSIA'S SECURITY IN SYRIA

Additionally, the air defense forces of the Syrian army will be equipped with automatic control systems to ensure that all Russian aircraft are identified by the Syrian air defense forces.

Russia will also jam satellite navigation, on-board radars and combat aviation communication systems over the waters of the Mediterranean Sea next to Syria.

"We are convinced that the implementation of these measures will cool hotheads and prevent ill-considered actions threatening our servicemen. Otherwise we will have to respond in line with the current situation," the minister said.

Following the Il-20 crash, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pledged to share all information regarding the incident with Moscow, expressed regret over the deaths of the Russian troops, and placed the blame on Damascus and Tehran.