The death of the Russian IL-20. Speculation and Reality
Facts, comments, conclusions, recommendations
First the facts
September 18, 2018 0:49 at https://www.bbc.com/russian/45556354:
"On September 17, at about 23:00 Moscow time, when returning to the Khmeimim airbase over the Mediterranean, 35 kilometers off the coast of Syria, the connection with the crew of the Russian Il-20 aircraft was lost," the Russian Defense Ministry reported.
On board the aircraft of electronic intelligence were 15 military men (in the first report of the Ministry of Defense, it was about 14 military). Their fate is unknown. In the waters of Latakia is conducted a search and rescue operation, it follows from the message.
The Russian Defense Ministry claims that the IL-20 disappeared from radar during the attack of four Israeli F-16 fighters against Syrian targets in the province of Latakia.
"At the same time, Russian radar controls the airspace were recorded missile launches from the French frigate Auvergne in the area," the Russian military said.
September 18, 2018 1:47 on https://ria.ru/syria/20180918/1528758545.html#article_item_1528758620 provided more detailed information from the words of the official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry Igor Konashenkov
"The IL-20 VKS was shot down by Syrian air defense weapons during Israeli air strikes against Latakia targets. Killed 15 military men.
September 18, 2018 https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-45558934 reports: