Russia blamed Israel on September 18, 2018 for the loss of a military IL-20M jet to Syrian fire, which killed all 15 servicemen on board, and threatened a response. Israeli pilots carrying out attacks on Syrian targets “used the Russian plane as a cover, exposing it to fire from Syrian air defences,” a statement by the Russian military said./ AFP PHOTO
DAMASCUS, Syria (AFP) — President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday blamed Israel for the downing of a Russian plane, which was accidentally hit by Syrian anti-aircraft fire while seeking to intercept Israeli missile fire.
“This unfortunate incident was the result of Israeli arrogance and debauchery,” the Syrian leader said, offering his condolences in a letter to his Russian counterpart for the death of 15 people killed in the incident over Syria on Monday.
© Agence France-Presse