Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin. Photo: YouTube screenshot.

Russia’s deputy foreign minister delivered a warning to Israel on Thursday, telling the Jewish state to carefully consider its actions in Syria.

According to Israel’s Channel 2, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin told the Russian news agency Sputnik, “We hope Israel will act carefully in the region.” He also made clear that Russia is well aware of Israel’s intention to continue its operations against Iranian targets in the war-torn country.

Israel has been striking targets in Syria for several years, saying that it seeks to destroy arms shipments to the Iran-backed Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah, as well as Iranian military sites that could threaten the Jewish state.

The tacit agreement on the strikes between Russia and Israel began to erode on Sept. 17, following the downing of a Russian plane during an Israeli air operation. Israel has asserted that the plane was shot down by Syrian anti-aircraft fire. Russia has rejected this claim and subsequently shipped the advanced S-300 air defense system to its ally in Damascus, the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Vershinin stated that despite the dispute with Israel, the situation in Syria will not be changed. Regarding the S-300, he said that it “will provide a new, quality layer of air defense” and further such steps will be forthcoming.

The US has condemned the transfer of the S-300 system to Syria, calling it a serious escalation on the part of Russia.