Indiscriminate and Inaccurate' Syrian Anti-aircraft Fire Downed Russian Plane: Israeli Air Force

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has stated in its initial inquiry that extensive and inaccurate Syrian anti-aircraft (Surface to Air missile) fire caused the Russian plane to be hit and downed.

It also has stated that the missiles that hit the Russian plane were launched by the Syrian Army and the IAF jets were already within Israeli airspace during the time of incidence. The IAF stated that Assad’s Syrian military regime is fully responsible for the downing of the Russian plane on Tuesday.

The IAF also held Iran and the Hezbollah terror organization accountable for the incident. In its statement, it stated that the Syrian anti-aircraft fire caused the Russian plane to be hit and downed.

Overnight, fighter jets targeted a facility of the Syrian Armed Forces from which systems to manufacture accurate and lethal weapons were about to be transferred on behalf of Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon. These weapons were meant to attack Israel, and posed an intolerable threat against it, according to IAF.

The IDF and the Russian army have a de-confliction system, which was agreed upon by the states' leaders, and has proven itself many times over recent years. This system was in use tonight as well. 

During the strike against the target in Latakia, the Russian plane that was then hit was not within the area of the operation. Furthermore, the Syrian anti-air batteries fired indiscriminately and from what we understand, did not bother to ensure that no Russian planes were in the air. 

Israel will share all the relevant information with the Russian Government to review the incident and to confirm the facts in this inquiry, the statement read.