(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) MOSCOW, Sept 24 (KUNA) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin informed on Monday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Moscow's decision to boost Syrian defenses is aimed at protecting Russian troops there.
Russia's presidency media office publicized in a statement over Putin's telephone conversations with Netanyahu in which he said that the strengthening of Syrian defenses through delivering the S-300 anti-aircraft system, "aims to prevent a threat to the lives of Russian soldiers who carry out their duties in the fight against global terrorism." Both sides also discussed circumstances surrounding the downing of the Russian Il-20 aircraft in the light of the report presented by Israel regarding their aerial activity in Syrian airspace and the conclusions reached by the Russian side.
Putin again blamed the Israeli side for the Russian plane crash that killed 15 Russian soldiers on board.
Earlier Monday, Putin called his Syrian counterpart Bashar Al-Assad to tell him to take additional measures ensuring the safety of the Russian military positions and strengthen the air defense capabilities, which include supplying the S-300 system, capable of intercepting air targets simultaneously at 250km.
The S-300 system which is capable of intercepting air targets at 250km and several targets simultaneously will be provided for Damascus within two weeks.
These events came after Russian blamed Israel for the crash of a Russian plane near the Mediterranean off the Syrian coast on September 17.
Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov described at a news conference the behavior of the Israeli pilots as "criminal and unprofessional negligence" as the Israeli pilots hid behind the Russian aircraft from Syrian missiles and continued to maneuver.
Russian forces also have an S-400 and high precision Panzer missile system in Syria. (end) as.aq
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