File: A Russian Sukhoi Su-24 bomber taking off from the Hmeimim airbase in the Syrian province of Latakia, October 3, 2015. (AFP/Komsomolskaya Pravda/Alexander Kots)
Times of Israel: Former defense minister: Israel was moments from downing Russian jet
Moshe Ya'alon says air force knew the aircraft heading into Israeli airspace was Russian, would have shot it down if it had not changed course.
Former defense minister Moshe Ya’alon said that Israel was moments from shooting down a Russian air force jet that was heading toward Israeli airspace, but manged to get the Russians to call it back at the last moment.
Ya’alon made the remarks to the Russian news agency Novosti and was referring to an incident that occurred in 2015, just after Israel and Russia instituted a series of mechanisms to coordinate activities-in the skies of Syria and avoid accidental clashes.
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Update: Former Israeli defense minister: Israel nearly shot down Russian fighter jet in 2015 (Jerusalem Post)
WNU Editor: My gut is telling me that there has been more than just one close call.
Update #2: This is a good summary on what is happening in the Middle East right now .... Russia warns return of 'axis of resistance' with Iran if deal collapses: Netanyahu to Moscow, EU officials in Israel to examine Iran files, Kerry criticized for Iran meetings (Jerusalem Post).
