Syria Shoots Down A Plane -- An Update

Last night, I wrote about how the Assad forces in Syria mistakenly shot down a Russian plane while they were apparently shooting at Israeli planes that were nearby.  That story has developed quickly.  After the incident, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the loss of the aircraft and then blamed the Israelis for the loss of the plane.  That's right, the Syrians shot at planes over the Mediterranean Sea (not in Syrian airspace), and they hit a Russian military spy plane that was in the area.  Rather than blame the Syrians who shot the plane down, Russia is blaming the Israelis.  It's bizarre.

If the ground forces that shot the missile had been American or Turkish, you can be sure that Russia would blame them.  Of course, American anti-aircraft forces would not have shot a missile to a site where a Russian plane was located.  They are too well trained and would not endanger a non-combatant.  The Assad forces, however, take a different tack as can be seen from their conduct.  The armed forces that think it proper to use poison gas on civilians in a region in the hope of maybe hitting a few opposition soldiers as well, is a group that doesn't care at all about collateral damage or deaths. 

I wonder how serious Russia is with regard to its statements blaming the Israelis.  Most likely this is just for show, with the target being the Russian public.  Putin doesn't want to have to blame Assad while supporting him with money, weapons and troops.