Russia warns US-led coalition not to fly close to its bases in Syria
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation made a statement about how the Russian military will use air defense in Syria after relations with the United States have worsened.
“I remind the US strategists that air cover for the Russian military bases in Tartus and Hmeymim includes S-400 and S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems, the range of which may come as a surprise to any unidentified flying objects,” Major General Konashenkov stated. According to him, “today the Syrian army has S-200, BUK and other air defense systems that have undergone technical renovation in the past year,” he said.
Konashenkov also added that “Russian air defense troops would not have time to identify the flight path of incoming rockets or aircraft that fired them, and would respond immediately.”
“And all dilettantes who have illusions regarding the existence of stealth-aircraft may face a disappointing reality,” he said.
Earlier, a representative from the US Ministry of Defense, Peter Cook, stated that the deployment of Russian S-300 missile systems in Syria may pose a threat to US combat aircraft, but it depends how these types of weapons are used.
According to him, the United States is still ready to take measures to ensure security of their military involved in the fight against terrorists in Syria, stressing that the military has the right to self-defense.