Russian general called for withdrawal from subordination to Israel

Israel is punishing Russia for excessive flexibility and acquiescence in Syria, which resulted yesterday in downed Russian reconnaissance aircraft Il-20 during another Israeli air strike.

The president of the Academy of Geopolitical Problems, ex-head of the Main Directorate for International Military Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Defense, retired Colonel General Leonid Ivashov, stated this in an interview with Moskovsky Komsomolets.

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“We, in fact, have always forgiven Israel for its aggressive acts against Syria, which it committed in violation of the UN Charter, in violation of the sovereignty of its Arab neighbor. We've been forgiving for a long time. Therefore, Israel punishes us for our excessive flexibility and compliance. It’s our fault,” Ivashov said, assessing the statement of the Ministry of Defense, calling Israel's actions hostile.

He recalled that in recent years Israel has regularly carried out attacks on targets in Syria.

“And everyone looks at it like it's a normal occurrence. Why didn’t they demand a long time ago to convene the UN Security Council and introduce a resolution condemning Israel and demanding an end to these raids?” – the general asked.

He is convinced that any Israeli aircraft that violates Syrian airspace must be attacked.

“And not only by Syrian air defense systems, but also by Russia. There are Russian planes there, there are S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems. Everything that exists must be destroyed by the intruder aircraft, the aggressor aircraft. And you can do this without warning. This is the legal right of both us and the Syrians,” the publication’s interlocutor emphasized.

He also says that if the Ministry of Defense calls Israel a hostile state, then the level of diplomatic relations should be lowered and the visa-free agreement should be suspended.

According to him, Russia has the moral right not to listen to Israel’s requests anymore and to finally supply Russian long-range anti-aircraft systems to Syria and Iran.

“We will not lose anything, we will only gain in every way. Firstly, your authority will increase. We will emerge from subordination to Israel. We will increase the authority of our weapons and air defense systems on the world market. Today, some countries are afraid to sign a contract for the purchase of certain types of weapons, because they know that Israel may not allow it, as was the case with Syria and Iran. If our anti-aircraft systems shoot down several Israeli F-16s, then many countries will line up for our equipment,” Ivashov concluded.

As PolitNavigator reported, on the evening of September 17 at about 23-00 Moscow time, 35 kilometers from the coast of Syria disappeared from the radar Russian reconnaissance aircraft Il-20.

According to the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Igor Konashenkov, Israeli military pilots carrying out bombing missions from four F-16s in the area exposed the Russian aircraft to attack.

“Four F-16s of the Israeli Air Force attacked Syrian targets near the city of Latakia with guided bombs. The approach to the targets was carried out at low altitude from the Mediterranean Sea. At the same time, Israeli aircraft deliberately created a dangerous situation for surface ships and aircraft in the area. The bombing was carried out not far from the location of the French frigate and in close proximity to the Il-20 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces that was landing.

Using a Russian plane as cover, Israeli pilots exposed it to Syrian air defense fire. As a result, the Il-20, whose effective reflective surface is an order of magnitude greater than that of the F-16, was shot down by a missile from the S-200 complex... We regard these provocative actions of Israel as hostile. As a result of the irresponsible actions of the Israeli military, 15 Russian servicemen were killed. This absolutely does not correspond to the spirit of the Russian-Israeli partnership. We reserve the right to an adequate response,” Konashenkov said.