Syria Downs Russian Plane, 15 Killed

Israel did not warn the command of the Russian troops in Syria about the planned operation. We received a notification via a hotline less than a minute before the strike, which did not allow the Russian aircraft to be directed to a safe zone,"

...

"Using the Russian plane as a shield, the Israeli pilots put it in the fire of Syrian air defense systems ... Il-20 ... was hit by the S-200 system's missile"

- Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov

The Russian Defense Ministry had said earlier that Russia's Hmeimim Airbase had lost contact with the crew of the Russian Il-20 military aircraft with 14 servicemen on board late on Monday. The aircraft disappeared from radar screens as four Israeli F-16 jets were attacking Syrian targets in the province of Latakia.

  In addition, Russian radar registered missile launches from the French frigate Auvergne, which was in the area.

Russian MoD addressing the incident

Map released by Russian Defense Ministry [source]

"We see these provocative actions of Israel as hostile," Konashenkov 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 the spokesman, the Russian Defense Ministry reserves the right to an "adequate response" following the Israeli attack.

Syria's military has not commented on the incident.

Israel's military has not commented on the attack.

France denied launching any missile strikes

Putin approved the MoD statement & vows to boost security measures in Syria (use the [CC] button for subs)