Russian Defense Ministry: Syria downed Russia's IL-20 because Israeli fighters used it as cover

Russia’s military plane Il-20 was shot down by the Syrian air defense over the Mediterranean Sea, because Israel’s F-16 fighters used it as a cover, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

"By using the Russian plane as a cover the Israeli air pilots made it vulnerable to Syrian air defense fire," he said. "As a result, the Ilyushin-20, its reflective surface being far greater than that of F-16, was downed by a missile launched with the S-200 system," Interfax cited Konashenkov as saying.

According to the spokesman, the Israeli jets deliberately created a dangerous situation in Latakia. He stressed that Israel's aviation control systems could not but notice the Russian aircraft as it was landing.

"The bombing raid was not far from France’s frigate The Auvergne and in close proximity to the IL-20 plane of Russia’s Aerospace Force that was about to land," Konashenkov said. 

The spokesman added that the search-and-rescue operation near the Russian aircraft's crash site off the coast of Syria continues. 

"We see these provocative actions of Israel as hostile," he said, adding that 15 Russian servicemen were killed as a result of the "irresponsible actions" of Israel's Defense Forces, which violated "the spirit of the Israeli-Russian partnership."

According to Konashenkov, the Russian Defense Ministry reserves the right to an "adequate response" following the Israeli attack.