MTL News:
Russia plans to soon deliver an antiaircraft missile system, known as the S-300, to Syria, Defense Ministry’s Col.-Gen. Sergei Rudskoi told reporters on Wednesday.
“Russian experts will continue to train Syrian military servicemen, particularly teaching them to use the new missile defense systems that are planned to be delivered to Syria in the near future,” he said, according to the TASS news agency.
Russia’s sale and pending delivery of these weapons to the Syrian government has long been a source of tension between Moscow and Jerusalem. Israel fears the S-300 would hamper its ability to attack military sites in Syria that are a danger to the Jewish state and would therefore allow Iran to strengthen its military foothold in that country.
“This would be by far the most advanced weapons system in air defense in Syrian hands so far,” said Brig.-Gen. (res.) Assaf Orion, “so theoretically it is an infringement to the apparent freedom of action that the Israeli air force enjoys over Syria’s skies.
