© NEO
S-300 air defense systems
The accidental downing of a Russian military plane by the Syrian air defence system
is no longer accidental because of the fact the Russian authorities believe that the incident occurred due to the activity of a third party, Israel. The incident itself notwithstanding, the developments following it have also confirmed how
Russia sees this incident as a spoiler activity, aimed at inciting military confrontation, not with the Russians necessarily, but with the Syrians, or may be its purpose was just to frighten the Iranians and the Hezbollah. Whatever the intention, the Russian investigation has concluded that
Israel was in violation of the 2015 Russian-Israeli agreement and that, as the Russian Ministry of Defence said in its press briefing,
Israel perhaps "has no appreciation for the level of relations with Russia." What the briefing shows is the eroding trust between the two countries, and the developments following this erosion, i.e.,
the Russian decision to supply advance air defence system to Syria, only indicate that the Russians don't think that such incidents will never occur in future if things are left unchanged; hence, the decision to change things in Syria.
Comment: Those first in line to help rebuild Syria will care little for the blustering US. They will not only make billions, but will cement Syria's place in the New Silk Road. The US has shot itself in the foot again.