Coot IL-20.

This is coolbert:

Coot is gone! Fratricide Syria! 

This how a pattern of escalation spiraling rapidly out of control can begin.

Thanks to the tip from Freeper and further info as per the Aviationist.

1. "Syrian regime accidentally shoots down Russian military plane"

"A Russian maritime patrol aircraft with multiple personnel on board was inadvertently shot down by Syrian regime anti-aircraft artillery on Monday after the Syrians came under attack by Israeli missiles, according to a US official with knowledge of the incident"

My instantaneous thought was that this was RUSSIAN air defense shooting down their own aircraft. NOT the Syrians!

2. "Russia has deployed at least one Il-20 Coot spy plane to Syria"

"Along with the 28 combat planes that have arrived at al-Assad International Airport via Iran hiding under Il-76 cargo planes last week, the Russian Air Force has deployed at least one Il-20 Coot surveillance plane to Syria."

"Even though satellite imagery has not yet unveiled its presence on an apron at the airfield near Latakia, an Il-20 Coot spy plane has already arrived in Syria to reinforce the Russian contingent, according to one of our sources."

COOT analogous to the American P-3 Orion. "Spy plane" as referred with international and military markings not a SPY PLANE as that word SPY ordinarily, commonly and generally understood. Coot rather a reconnaissance and surveillance warplane.

Also my instantaneous reaction was GULF OF TONKIN INCIDENT!  The Russian will seek [hope not!!] some sort of misguided vengeance? As described before, there will occur a pattern of retaliation and escalation of hostilities between international players in the Syrian Civil War that will "spiral" out of control.

coolbert.