Global Geopolitical Series: Netanyahu personally calls Putin to defuse tensions over downed Russian jet

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally called Russian President Vladimir Putin over downed Russian jet in Syria in trying to defuse the tensions between the two countries. Netanyahu reportedly apologized to Putin over the incident and explained that it was unintentional and provided evidence to that matter.

The diplomatic feud broke out between Russia and Israel on Monday over Israel’s latest attacks on Syrian city of Latakia, which is home to the biggest Russian air base in the region that led to a chain of events which finally resulted in the downing of a Russian military Jet being shot down by Syrian S-200 surface to air missiles.

According to Russia, Israel has used the Russian jet IL-20 plane as a cover for their attack and knowingly. On Monday, around 19:00 GMT, four Israeli Air Force F-16 fighter jets had carried a guided aerial bomb attack on Syrian targets near the city of Latakia. They started their target run at a low altitude from the Mediterranean Sea. A French Frigate, as well as a Russian IL-20 plane, was operating in the region. The Syrian F-16s allegedly used the Russian IL-20 plane, which has far wider reflective area compared to F-16s were shot down by Syrian anti-aircraft fire from the S-200 missile defense system. There was reportedly 14 military personnel on board of IL-20.

Russia added that Israel, which according to its own admission conducted hundreds of air raids in Syrian over the past year or so, didn’t warn Russia of any operation in the region. Russia added that it reserves the right to retaliate.

However, Netanyahu’s personal call might have defused the tension to some extent as President Putin explained the incident as a tragic event but accidental. When asked by a reporter if the incident is comparable to Turkey’s downing of a Russian jet in Syria in 2015. President Putin explained that Turkey shot down the Jet but Israel didn’t and a chain of tragic events took place that led to the downing. He further added that the security of Russian troops would be significantly enhanced in Syria.