WhatsappWith rumors of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine becoming more and more real, Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian air force to joint patrol with the Syrian air force near Israel’s Golan Heights.
The sudden move has sent shivers down Israel’s defense establishment, which has made it clear that free movement inside Syria is critical to Israel’s defenses. Israel’s strikes on Syria, target Iranian advanced weapon systems deliveries to Hezbollah. Without a free hand, Hezbollah would be able to wreck far more havoc on Israel in a potential war.
The Russian move is part of a larger push by Putin to regain the prestige that was lost by the fall of the Soviet Union. However, for Israel the move by Putin puts the Jewish State in a very precarious position. It can no longer assume it has free movement and any mistakes that result in the downing of a Russian jet will give Putin what he needs to clamp down on Israel’s sense of independence.
With an invasion of Ukraine days away, one wonders what other military excursions, Putin has planned.
