April 22, Israeli media reported that Russian air defense systems deployed in the area of the air base "Hmeymim" at least once fired at Israeli planes operating in Syrian airspace in the area of the Mediterranean coast. According to published information, the Israeli Air Force did not threaten, as an anti-aircraft missile, allegedly, was already released after the aircraft left the area and went back.
According to the newspaper "Yediot Ahronot", this particular incident has actually served as one of the main topics at the talks the head of the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu with President Vladimir Putin, on the eve of April 21.
Note that before the trip, Netanyahu to Moscow "second channel" ITV reported another similar incident - in Syria fighter F-16, the Israeli Air Force almost collided with the aircraft Su-27 FSI Russian who became close with him on a dangerous distance to identify the nationality. As noted by the press, the tragedy has been avoided in particular due to the "hot line" established by the General Staff of Israel and Russia for this purpose. The media also reported that for the same reason, about a month ago in the capital of the Russian Federation visited Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.
But the president's press secretary Dmitry Peskov denied this information, calling "far from reality, Israeli media reported." Responding to a question about how it was dedicated to the topics recent meeting between Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu, Peskov said that the main topics were the situation in Syria and the whole Middle East, as well as economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
However, some indirect evidence suggests that the president's press secretary at this time, the whole truth, for whatever reason, did not say. In any case, Netanyahu himself, anticipating the major part of the negotiation process with Putin, said in front of journalists that "came here with the primary objective - to strengthen coordination between our security, to prevent all sorts of mistakes, misunderstandings and incidents."
In addition, on the same day in Moscow held unscheduled talks Russian and Israeli aircraft generals. What the military said - it is unknown.
And, as stated by the "Gazete.ru" Minister for Immigration and Absorption, Minister of Jerusalem (was a member of the Israeli delegation and acted as a translator at the meeting, Netanyahu) Zeev Elkin, the main themes were the Golan Heights, whose status is disputed by Israel and Syria, as well as the supply of weapons "to Hezbollah," which Jerusalem considers a threat to its security.
In short, Putin talk with Netanyahu, it seems to have been about. For example, on this topic: the bombing by Israel of the Lebanese position "Hezbollah" in Syria for a long time causes a lot of questions. Including - in Moscow.
Firstly, there is evidence that fall under the fire and the troops of Bashar Assad, and the Iranians. So, in January of 2015 as a result of the Israeli Air Force attack in Syria he was killed General of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Aliullov DAAD.
Secondly, one thing that strikes before the aircraft Aerospace Forces SAR and our deployed air defense systems. It's quite another - after the bombing of Russian intervention in the conflict in late September 2015. After all, with the support of our aviation government forces went on the offensive, namely fighters "Hezbollah", the experts recognized that the Iranians even surpass the level of training, which in its time and created this Lebanese movement. Detachments "Hezbollah" throw in the most difficult areas - they are fighting in the north of Aleppo, were striking force during the assault of Palmyra.
According to reports from the public for the first time after the appearance of Russian troops in Syria, Israel hit "Hezbollah" and government forces in late October last year. Then, already on November 11 Syrian and Lebanese media reported that the Israeli Air Force launched a series of strikes on targets near Damascus airport. Then, presumably, the Iranian weapons have been destroyed, for the "Hezbollah".
November 23 Israelis had suffered an air attack on a mixed garrison of "Hezbollah" and the regular army of Syria near the village of Ras al-Mara.
On December 20, the Israeli Air Force air strike on one of the districts of Damascus killed one of the leaders of "Hezbollah" Samir Kantar.
A February 9, 2016 the Israeli Air Force fighter jets carried out a night raid on the positions occupied by detachments of the Shiite movement in the area of the Syrian village of Qatif on the road to Damascus-Homs ...
There is a number of other series of questions. Are incidents reported by the media, the Israeli prime minister was forced to put an unscheduled visit to Moscow? After all, it is relatively recently (in September) came to Russia in the company of his chief of staff, military intelligence commander and head of the National Security Council to discuss the coordination of actions in the Syrian sky. And what are the possible agreement between Putin and Netanyahu on the Golan Heights and the bombing of "Hezbollah"?
For comments, revision addressed to the former head of one of the Israeli secret service, known military expert Yakov Kedmi. Here is what he said:
- First, that the concerns of the two episodes, read about the Israeli media. According to my information, in the first case, our (Israel's) aircraft flew along the coast of the Syrian Arab Republic, but outside its airspace. Russian fighter approached him, circled, then left in the direction of its base.
In the second case, probably a Russian air defense system radars have identified our aircraft C-400 as a possible target. And when irradiated air defense radar aircraft the pilot is the exposure is fixed. Another thing that can be such exposure, when it carried out the missile guidance - in this case, the pilot also receives relevant information from the devices. But I think it was not. Neither of which the rocket launch and the question.
The fact that Israeli planes define a goal, there is nothing surprising S-400 and S-300 analog of ship-based cruiser "Varyag". Locators C-400 is irradiated at all our aircraft as they take off from airfields only. This happens automatically - so arranged locators. After air strikes last minute, so the system reacts instantly.
Since Netanyahu acknowledged that several dozen times we bombed weapons caches "Hezbollah" in Syria, the weapons which were intended for deployment to Lebanon, it is quite clear that our planes in the Syrian airspace find often. But given the speed of the aircraft and the saturation of air defense systems, it is natural that the leadership of both countries are trying to find ways to prevent any tragic incidents. That there were no attempts to threaten the Russian Federation and that videoconferencing from our attacks, "Hezbollah" accidentally injured Russian soldiers. This is necessary since there are errors each army.
- To this day the media reported that the Israeli Air Force bombed the positions of "Hezbollah" only from their territory, are not included in the Syrian airspace. Just deal with long range precision strikes guided missiles.
- This is not true. To ensure destruction of objects "Hezbollah" our planes fly into Syrian airspace. And, quite calmly. Just do it and Israeli drones.
- If Israel and Russia can agree, then where is the guarantee that this will not be the Israeli Air Force attacked the Syrian air defenses, and then do not write off the incident at the Russian military? After all, Assad, to our knowledge, there are no guarantees to Tel Aviv did not give and can not give them. If only because of the problem of the Golan Heights.
- All Syrian system are well known. And with the same SAM "Buk" we can handle. But the fact that the Syrians do not even try to resist our Air Force, because they know that in this case, as soon as all the pilots cycled against air defense battery would be destroyed. Moreover, Russia is trying to deter the Syrians, although they are actually other concerns. But we're not trying to attack the positions of the troops Assad - we are interested in only the "Hezbollah". And those kinds of weapons, which it is trying to smuggle into Lebanon via Syria.
The former head of air defense troops of the Russian Air Force, Lieutenant General reserve Alexander Gorkov convinced that if the fire exposure by Israeli planes in Syria was indeed, for any direction of the target movement - forward air defenses or to remove - this aircraft would be either shot down, or have been damaged.
- If the aircraft is identified as the enemy, and he is in the zone of influence, the missile launch could take place. However, the launch of an anti-aircraft missiles happens anyhow - Automatic calculates the trajectory of air targets for its assured destruction. So I can hardly believe that the launch of missiles at an Israeli aircraft was actually carried out.
As for the episode dangerous approach of the Israeli F-16 and a pair of Russian Su-27SM3, I fully admit that this really could be. But it testifies to the problems in the interaction as defense issues must be honed and there should be no doubt - who owns a particular plane - Israel or, for example, the Jordanian Air Force?
Again, with good coordination difficulties in the identification can not be, because the parties inform each other about the corridor in which the altitude and in what period of time will act whether the four planes or a single fighter.
Senior analyst at the Center for the study of the crisis of society, the expert INF and the Middle East Institute Sergey Balmasov believes it is unlikely that the Israeli prime minister would constantly traveled to Russia, if minor incidents discussed in the SAR sky or even the situation in the Golan. Perhaps there are still topics that the media prefer is not to say, including economic.
- In fact, this is not the prime minister level. At the first meeting the emphasis could be placed, however, all these issues can be easily solved and secret channels of communication security services. Judge for yourself.
Nothing serious happens around the Golan Heights. Yes, Bashar al-Assad regime in fact is with Israel in a state of war. Therefore, the Syrians are constantly trying to translate jihadist activity against Israel. Hence the constant declarations of the Syrian authorities - the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs - that we will certainly return the Golan Heights, etc. But the militants to it are not conducted...
With regard to the incidents in the air, if it really worked on the aircraft Russian S-400, then most likely, the rocket would have caught up with the target and on Israeli territory. And that means our defense is irradiated and accompany Israeli aircraft - this is a common practice. It is clear that the Israeli air defense system doing the same thing with our machines.
Yes, there is the fact of activity of Israeli air that strikes the traffic of weapons, "Hezbollah" in Lebanon. But, in fact, that the regional problems, infighting players that Russia should not touch.
- Yes, but Lebanese troops the bet in the planning of various operations in different parts of the Syrian front. A striking at "Hezbollah," Israel, in fact, prevents to conduct operations against the opposition.
- Yes, Israel most beneficial to their opponents - the Sunnis and Shiites - at war with each other. Watching this action, we can, so to speak, to enjoy the spectacle, occasionally podbavlyaya lights - enhance one or the other side. For example, if the Sunnis from "Al-Nusra" * the problem, you can treat them in hospitals on its territory ...
Another thing is that with the beginning of the Syrian conflict has increased the amount of supplies from Iran, carried out by air transport. And not only supplied weapons for the army CAP, but also missiles "ground-ground" short-range arsenal that the "Hezbollah" has increased by five times compared to 2006. Iranians being moved rockets and longer-range under the guise of assistance to the Syrians. And from Israel would be foolish to just watch as their sworn enemy arms.