Ron Ben Yishai
Last week, a Russian helicopter flying near the cease-fire line in Syrian territory was seen from the Golan Heights. The Russian helicopter flew along the line for several minutes, then turned back eastward deep into Syria. The Israel Air Force tracked the helicopter, providing alerts to IDF forces and the military’s air defense batteries in the area. However, since the helicopter didn’t cross the cease-fire line into Israeli territory near the Golan Heights, no further action was needed.
The day following the incident, which passed without special public or media attention in Israel, the official Russian news agency TASS released a statement announcing that Russian military aircraft had begun patrols along the "Bravo Line" between Israel and Syria to "monitor the situation."
Moscow's true goal, however, isn’t merely monitoring. In fact, against the backdrop of reports of increased Israeli activities in Syria, the Kremlin seeks to interfere and deter Israel from attacking Iranian targets, as well as Hezbollah and Palestinian elements operating in Syria in Hezbollah’s service, and prevent weapon transfers from Syria to Hezbollah, all under the guise of ostensibly monitoring the situation along the Israeli-Syrian cease-fire line.
It’s entirely clear that the presence of Russian helicopters or other aircraft in the Golan Heights region hinders Israel's operations in this airspace. According to foreign reports, a significant portion of the attacks in Syria attributed to Israel took place from Israeli territory in the Golan Heights and northern Israel.
The presence of Russian military aircraft in the region disrupts operations attributed to the Israel Air Force, and Russia can argue against Israel that our air force activities against targets in Syria from the Golan Heights and northern Israel directly endanger Russian aircraft and personnel in the region.
This claim may be based on an incident in September 2018 when the Israeli Air Force targeted weapon depots and ammunition caches in western Syria. Syrian air defenses, attempting to intercept the planes, launched dozens of surface-to-air missiles and accidentally shot down a Russian reconnaissance plane carrying 15 military personnel.
The presence of Russian forces along the border with Syria signals to Israel that the Kremlin is displeased with Israel's intensive operations against Syria, Hezbollah, and Iranian interests.
It’s clear that Russia demands a reduction or cessation of these operations, without explicitly saying so
Two weeks before the announcement of Russia’s aerial patrols, the Kremlin announced the establishment of two additional military positions along the Syrian border. In this case, as well, Kulit issued the statement, claiming this was allegedly done to "monitor" the cease-fire, "due to the increased frequency of provocations in the region."
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