Since spy-plane downing, Russia toughens stance against Israel in Syria skies
Russia demands Israeli army increase use of ‘hotline’ mechanism to prevent friction ■ S-300 missile defense systems provided to Syria will be manned first by Russian experts ■ Russian air defense radars in Syria were activated over Israeli air force activity
In recent weeks Russia has been taking a more forceful stance toward Israel concerning Israel Air Force activity in the north.
The Russians are demanding further clarifications from the Israel Defense Forces via the “hotline” that is meant to prevent any aerial clashes between the two parties, and there have been several instances in which Russian air defense radars in Syria were activated in connection with Israel’s air force activity in the north.
Russia’s behavior is being interpreted in Israel as a response to the incident in which a Syrian anti-aircraft missile downed an Ilyushin Russian intelligence-gathering plane on September 17 at the end of an Israeli airstrike near Latakia in northwestern Syria.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said last week that Israel will continue to operate in Syria for the purpose of thwarting Hezbollah’s military buildup.
At the end of last week, the Russian newspaper Izvestia reported that three air defense systems supplied to Syria by Russia in late Septemeber, following the September 17 incident, were of the most advanced model of the S-300 missiles with the highest radar and target-identification capabilities.
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