Russia defends decision to send missiles to Syria

The Russian government has defended its decision to send a number of powerful anti-aircraft missiles to Syria.

 

Russia has “numerous” S-300 and S-400 defence systems in the country and claims they are positioned there to protect Russian forces. However, the move was questioned by the US-led coalition as Russia’s claimed target of the Islamic State (Isis) does not have any planes.

 
Russia’s defence ministry also warned that any aircraft flying too close to Syrian regime troops may be in for “a surprise” — apparently a reference to reports in the US media that Washington is considering an attack on Bashir al-Assad’s forces.

 

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