Syria missile strikes (September 2018)

Israeli Air Force

Company type	Military service branch
Industry	Military aviation
Headquarters	Israel , Israel
Area served	Syria, Israel, region
Products	Military air operations
Owner	Government of Israel
Parent	Israel Defense Forces

Not to be confused with 2018 missile strikes against Syria.

On 17 September 2018, the Israeli Air Force launched missile attacks targeting several sites within government-held western Syria. During the engagement, Syrian air defense units fired upon Israeli aircraft but inadvertently downed a Russian military Il-20 reconnaissance plane, resulting in the deaths of all 15 personnel on board. Moscow held Israel responsible for this incident, accusing the Israeli Air Force of using the Russian aircraft as cover, which led to it being targeted. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed carrying out strikes on a Syrian weapons depot and expressed regret over the casualties caused by Syrian defensive fire. These strikes took place shortly after Russia and Turkey reached an agreement to establish a demilitarized zone in Idlib Governorate, which delayed an expected offensive by Syrian government forces and their allies.

Airstrikes

Around 22:00 local time, numerous missiles impacted the western Syrian governorates of Latakia, Tartus, and Homs. According to a comprehensive report by the Russian Ministry of Defense released on 23 September, the assault commenced at 21:40, involving four F-16 fighter jets deploying GBU-39 bombs targeting industrial facilities in Latakia.

The missiles struck the Institute of Technological Industries, which operates under the Syrian Ministry of Defense, located on Latakia's outskirts. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicated that ammunition storage sites were among the targets. The attack resulted in two fatalities and ten individuals wounded. Subsequent satellite imagery confirmed the destruction of an ammunition depot.

Russian aircraft shot down

During Israel’s offensive—specifically at 22:02:45 as reported by the Russian defense ministry—an Il-20 electronic intelligence reconnaissance aircraft, returning to Khmeimim Air Base with 15 Russian personnel aboard, was struck by a Syrian S-200 surface-to-air missile approximately 35 km from Syria’s coastline. The Russian military stated they received only a one-minute warning prior to the strike, insufficient time to maneuver the Il-20 out of harm’s way. Radar contact with the plane was lost at 22:07.

Initially, Russian officials claimed that missiles were launched not only by Israeli F-16s but also by the French frigate Auvergne; France denied any involvement.

The following day, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu attributed the downing to Syrian anti-aircraft fire but held Israel responsible for the incident. According to Russia, Israeli jets concealed themselves behind the Il-20, placing it in the trajectory of Syrian air defenses. The Russian military further asserted that Israel provided only one minute’s advance notice and that the four Israeli F-16s intentionally used the Russian plane as cover to evade Syrian missile fire during their ground attack. President Vladimir Putin later confirmed that the Ministry of Defense’s statement had his full approval.

From Israel’s perspective, their jets had already re-entered Israeli airspace when the Il-20 was downed. Israel assigned full responsibility for the missile launch to Syrian forces but extended condolences to Russia for the loss of its crew. An Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson explained that Syrian anti-aircraft batteries fired indiscriminately without verifying Russian aircraft presence, resulting in the Il-20 being hit due to extensive and inaccurate Syrian missile fire.

Israel’s investigation, shared with Russian counterparts, concluded that multiple Syrian surface-to-air missile batteries launched dozens of missiles over about 40 minutes—long after Israeli jets had returned to base. The Syrian missile barrages targeted various directions: eastward inland, westward over the sea, and southward toward Lebanon. This pattern of uncontrolled missile fire has increased since the February 2018 shoot-down of an Israeli F-16I and peaked during Operation House of Cards, when roughly 170 missiles were fired at Israeli aircraft.

On 18 September, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret over the incident and informed President Putin that Syrian forces were responsible for shooting down the Russian plane. Putin described the event as a "tragic chance occurrence," seemingly minimizing tensions with Israel.

On 23 September 2018, Russian defense ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov reiterated that Israel bore sole responsibility for the accident and provided a detailed timeline leading to the shootdown. He noted that all Israeli fighter jets remained off Latakia’s coast following the incident and departed from the area by 22:40.

Aftermath

On 18 September, Russia called in the Israeli ambassador in Moscow to provide an explanation regarding the incident.

By 24 September, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the Syrian military would be equipped with S-300 air defense missile systems within a fortnight to enhance its aerial defense capabilities. He noted that the earlier cancellation of the S-300 contract in 2013 was influenced by Israel's request; however, the downing of a Russian Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft over Syria had altered the circumstances. These S-300 systems would include advanced IFF technology designed to prevent Russian aircraft from being mistakenly targeted. Furthermore, Shoigu revealed additional military actions Russia intended to implement to safeguard its personnel stationed in Syria. On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin communicated with Syrian President Bashar Assad via phone to inform him about the forthcoming delivery.

See also

• List of accidents and incidents involving military aircraft (2010–present)
• List of accidents and incidents involving the Ilyushin Il-18
• List of aviation shootdowns and accidents during the Syrian Civil War
• List of the Israel Defense Forces operations
• Russia and the Iran–Israel proxy conflict
• Timeline of the Syrian Civil War (September–December 2018)
• Syria missile strikes (August 2019)
• 2024 Israeli invasion of Syria