Israel indirectly to blame for downing of plane over Syria, Russia says
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Russia has accused Israel of indirectly causing a Russian military plane to be shot down near Syria's Mediterranean coast and threatened to retaliate against Israel for what it described as a hostile act.
Talking to Russian state television in Moscow, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said that fifteen service personnel have also been perished in the incident.
He said the aircraft was shot down by Syrian anti-aircraft systems but Moscow believed Israeli air force jets flying in the same area had put the Russian plane in the line of fire.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu also spoke to his Israeli counterpart, Avigdor Lieberman, and held Israel wholly responsible for the shooting down of the plane.
Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Israel's ambassador in Moscow over the incident and lodged strong protest.
(Reuters)
