Russian reconnaissance plane lost contact when Syria was attacked by missiles

"Air traffic control at the Hmeymim air base in Syria lost contact with the crew of the Il-20 aircraft on the evening of September 17, while four Israeli F-16 fighters attacked targets in Latakia province. The plane went missing 35 km from the Syrian coast,"RTyesterday quoted a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The Russian military said there were 14 crew members on board. The commander of the Hmeimim base has ordered a search operation for the missing plane.

Russian air traffic control also said some of the missiles could have been launched from the French destroyer Auvergne, which was operating in the area.

A Syrian power plant and two military facilities in Latakia province were attacked for about an hour on the evening of September 17, injuring seven people. Syrian officials confirmed that it was a "foreign attack from the sea", but could not confirm whether Israel was behind the attack.

US military officials believe the Russian reconnaissance plane was likely shot down by Syrian air defenses in Latakia or nearby areas as they attempted to intercept Israeli missiles.

The Il-20 is a reconnaissance aircraft equipped with many modern infrared and optical sensors. Side-mounted side-scanning radar systems and satellite television equipment help the aircraft monitor every move in the Syrian sky in real time.