The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) continue their mission to ensure security and stability in the Middle East region and, in particular, in the Syrian Arab Republic.
On 17 January, the VKS conducted air patrols along the border of the disengagement zone between the Armed Forces of Israel and the Syrian Armed Forces along the Bravo line. The information about this was confirmed by the deputy head of the Centre for the Reconciliation of Enemy Parties in Syria, Rear Admiral Vadim Kulilya. He specified that the patrols were organised as part of the monitoring of the situation in the region, TASS reported.
IDF forces in the Golan Heights spotted a Russian helicopter flying over Syrian territory dangerously close to the ceasefire line established between Israel and Syria after the Doomsday War. The Israeli Air Force put a fighter jet in the air and alerted air defence forces, but the Russian helicopter turned around and flew deep into Syrian territory.
“Moscow is making it clear that it is outraged [by Israel’s actions] and has started air patrols near the ceasefire line,” Israeli online publication Ynet wrote.
In the wake of Israeli shelling of Syrian territory, the Kremlin is taking action to deter the IDF from striking Iranian and Palestinian targets in the SAR. The presence of the IAF in the Golan Heights neighbourhood prevents this activity.
“The very presence of Russia on the border with Syria is a signal to Israel that the Kremlin is furious that Israel is acting against Syria, Hezbollah and Iranian interests with high intensity, and it is a clear signal that Russia is demanding a reduction or cessation of these activities without saying so explicitly,” notes columnist Ron Ben Yishai.
Russia can make claims against Israel that its air force’s actions directly threaten Russian aircraft and military personnel. This claim would be substantiated by the events of September 2018, when Israeli F-16 jets attacked weapons and ammunition depots in western Syria, and Syrian air defences trying to intercept the planes accidentally shot down a Russian Il-20 aircraft with 15 servicemen on board with a surface-to-air missile.
“Bashar al-Assad has been asking Russia for years to help end Israeli operations in the country, and the air patrols are actually the first Russian action taken to that end,” Ynet summarised.
