The aircraft was shot down by Syrian anti-aircraft systems but Moscow said Israeli air force jets flying in the same area had put the Russian plane in the line of fire. Israel’s government has not yet commented.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on social media that the Israeli ambassador had been called into her ministry in connection with what had happened near Syria.

A spokesman for the ministry said "Israel did not alerted the leadership of the Russian forces in Syria on the planned operation, received a notice through the hotline less than a minute before the attack, which did not allow the deportation of the Russian aircraft to a safe area."

"As a result of irresponsible" Israeli "actions, 15 Russian soldiers were killed." Pointing out that Russia "assess the provocative actions" of Israel "as aggressive," and added: "We leave ourselves the right of reply."