Russia reprimands Israel over missile test in the Mediterranean Sea

Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth revealed that Russia has officially reprimanded Israel over the latter’s launch of an Anchor ballistic missile into the eastern Mediterranean Sea last week. According to its website, Ynet, Russia’s Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov summoned both the Israeli and American military attachés, demanding that their countries maintain self control and refrain from any military actions or exercises that “could have a negative effect on security in the region and the world.”

Ynet added that this story was initially reported by Russia’s RIA-Novosti news agency. The agency noted that the meeting between Antonov and the Israeli and US military attachés was held last Wednesday in Moscow following Israel’s announcement that it successfully tested an Anchor target missile in the Mediterranean.

The Russian news agency reported that Antonov told the attachés that it is necessary to refrain from conducting military exercises in the Mediterranean or taking any step that could have a negative effect on security in the region and the world.

“Is there any other region more volatile and packed with weapons today? I don’t completely understand how someone could play with arms and missiles in that region today,” he told reporters at a press conference in Moscow, a day after the missile test.

He added that Russia and the US had signed an agreement in 1988 requiring the two states to inform one another in the event of conducting missile tests so as to avoid inappropriate retaliation from the other side.