[Global Times correspondent in Russia Zhang Xiaodong Chen Yi Liu Zhi] A Russian Su -25 fighter plane was shot down in Syria on the 3rd. This is the first time that a Russian fighter plane was shot down by rebel ground fire. Although the pilot was ejected, he was killed on the ground. The incident aroused Russia’s anger, and the Russian army immediately retaliated by bombing the stronghold of the Syrian opposition, killing more than 30 militants.
In addition to retaliating against Syrian militants, Russia is still investigating who provided weapons to Syrian militants. According to RIA Novosti, under the cover of the Russian Air Force, Syrian special forces launched a search on the location of the terrorists who shot down the Russian-Soviet-25 fighter plane that was being eliminated on the 4th. If we can find the components of the portable air defense missile, we can know where it comes from and where it comes from in the next few days.
Although Russian officials are cautious, many Russian media have pointed their finger at the United States.
Russian Interfax news agency reported on the 4th that Klin Cevic, vice chairman of the Defense and Security Committee of the Russian Federation Council, said that Syrian militants may obtain portable air defense missile systems provided by the United States through a third country. "From a military point of view, shooting down a plane means nothing. But politically, it is of great significance and far-reaching influence.
Russian Federal News Network reported on the 4th that Croste Chenko, editor-in-chief of Russian Defense magazine, said that the portable air defense missile system used by militants to shoot down Su -25 may have been provided by the United States and acquired by Ukraine. Moscow must find out what type of portable air defense missile system has fallen into the hands of terrorist organizations for future action.
Russian Communist Youth League Pravda reported on the 4th that Russian experts said that there are portable air defense missile systems in the hands of Syrian militants, including Soviet-made old-fashioned "Needle" and "Arrow" air defense missile systems. Russian pilots know this, and it is impossible to let fighters fly at a height that can be hit by these anti-aircraft missiles. Therefore, it is very likely that Russian warplanes were hit by American-made Stinger air defense missiles. Not long ago, the United States provided this missile system to the Kurds. Sha Bolin, the first vice president of the Russian "comrades-in-arms" veterans association, said that the source revealed to him that the portable air defense missile system that shot down the Russian fighter plane was transported to Syria only a few days ago via Syria’s neighboring countries. Their purpose is to deal with the Russian army.
The United States categorically denied the suspicion from Russia. Washington post said that another problem caused by the incident was the source of portable air defense missiles. Syrian rebels have repeatedly asked their international supporters to provide such weapons. The United States has always strongly opposed the provision of such weapons because it is worried that air defense weapons may fall into the hands of extremist organizations in the country. The State Council spokesman Nolte denied that American weapons and equipment were used to shoot down the Russian military plane. He said: "The United States has never provided portable air defense missiles to any organization in Syria, and we are deeply disturbed by the use of such weapons."