Library image of a Russian Ilyushin IL-20 aircraft (Picture: Crown Copyright).

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that "a chain of tragic circumstances" is to be blamed for a military aircraft shot down by a Syrian missile.

He also vowed to boost security for Russian troops stationed in the region.

A Russian IL-20 reconnaissance aircraft was shot down by Syrian missile defence over the Mediterranean Sea late on Monday.

All 15 people onboard are reported dead.

The Russian defence ministry said the plane was caught in the crossfire as four Israeli fighters attacked targets in north-western Syria.

Mr Putin said that the Kremlin will look into circumstances surrounding the crash.

He made his remarks several hours after the Russian Defence Ministry put the blame squarely on Israel for "provoking" the incident.