Plane downed in Syria after chain of tragic accidental circumstances: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the downing of a Russian military plane by Syrian air defences was the result of a tragic chain of circumstances, in an apparent effort to calm tensions after his country’s defence ministry accused Israel of hostile actions.

The downing of the jet late on Monday night highlighted the dangers posed by the conflicting interests of various powers in the crowded skies over war-torn Syria and threatened to damage relations between Russia and



Israel.

The incident was also the worst case of friendly fire between Russia and Syria since Moscow's military intervention in the country in support of President Bashar al Assad's forces in September 2015. 

The Russian military said the Il-20 electronic intelligence plane was hit 35km off Syria's Mediterranean coast as it returned to its home base nearby. All 15 Russian crew members were killed.