MOSCOW. Sept 18 (Interfax) - The operation of the Israeli Air Force, which caused the crash of Russia's Ilyushin Il-20 plane, will hardly lead to a direct military confrontation with Israel, yet bilateral diplomatic relations will be harmed, according to Federation Council Defense and Security Committee Chairman Viktor Bondarev.
"Of course, we will hardly have a direct military conflict with Israel, but this cynical action will definitely impact our diplomatic relations with this country, and our cooperation in a number of areas, and this impact will be quite bad," Bondarev told Interfax on Tuesday.
"What the Israeli Air Force has done is the height of irresponsibility and cynicism," he said.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has already said that Russia reserves the right to countermeasures, Bondarev said.
"Anyway, we never act in a rush, but always make a thorough check before we take any drastic steps, we consider every option, and react properly," Bondarev said.