Worthy Christian News > Israel-Palestinian Conflict > Russia reportedly fires at Israeli jets

Russia reportedly fires at Israeli jets

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – In what may indicate a serious shift in Russia’s previously cordial attitude toward Israel, Russian forces on the ground reportedly fired at Israeli jets while they were carrying out airstrikes on Iranian terrorist targets in Syria last week, CBN News reports.

A close ally of Syrian dictator Bashir al-Assad, Russia maintains a dominating military presence in Syria. Accordingly, prior to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Israel coordinated with Moscow before carrying out anti-terrorism strikes in the war-torn country.

Russia has turned a blind eye to Israeli strikes on Iranian targets reportedly because Putin, too, considers Iran to be a destabilizing force in the Middle East.

However, political tensions between Israel and Russia have risen following the invasion of Ukraine, with the Israeli government condemning Putin’s actions as war crimes, and the Russian Foreign Minister making anti-semitic remarks.

In an apparent escalation, Israel’s Channel 13 said Monday that Russian forces on the ground reportedly used advanced S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to fire at Israeli jets on Friday, CBN said.

Channel 13 added that the Israeli pilots had not been in real danger as they were leaving the area at the time of the attack.

Israel rarely acknowledges or comments on airstrikes in Syria, and did not make a direct reference to Friday’s strikes either, CBN said.

Nevertheless, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said in a statement Monday that Israel will continue to take action against Iranian terror activity in Syria.

“The State of Israel will continue to act against any enemy that threatens it, and prevent the transfer of advanced capabilities from Iran that endanger the citizens of Israel and harm the stability of the entire region,” Gantz said.