People have trouble comprehending just how close Israel and Russia are - and they are VERY CLOSE, and yes, that’s a good thing (except to the Left).
I think we may be stuck on stupid.
If Israel were somewhat weaker, I don’t think we’d be seeing this. Russia’s interests in the ME have seemed to align with Iran’s for quite a while.
About 1/3 of Israelis are Russian immigrants
Often the brightest and most technically skilled
This article is an interesting read about Russia’s seemingly passive stance on what the West would consider weakness or backing down to “ provocations”
https://russia-insider.com/en/politics/russias-maddening-patience-why-doesnt-she-strike-back-when-attacked/ri23653#.WxFNL8RRGmo.twitter
Putin works with Israel when it suits Russian interests, and against them when it doesn't. They pretty much always vote against Israel at the UN, and they have a long history of supporting Israel's enemies.
Russia has been talking about Iran reducing it's presence in Syria now that ISIS is all but defeated, but Iran wants to keep a large, long term/permanent presence. Russia wants a stable Syria for it's military bases and pipelines, and knows Iran and Hezbollah attacking Israel from their Syrian positions works against their goals.
Getting Iran out also contributes to getting the US out, leaving Russia as the only significant foreign influence in Syria, a rare case where Russian, American and Israeli interests align.
They still can’t get over that the Soviet Union collapsed. Increasingly, leftards become reactionaries.