Russian-supplied S-300 anti-aircraft missile system deployed on Syrian soil appear to have become operational, according to satellite images taken by Israeli ImageSat International company and published by Israeli military Wednesday. Three out of four aerial defense batteries were captured in an upright position, while the fourth one remained covered by a net. The development might endanger Israel Air Force missions against Iranian targets in the war-battered county.
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The anti-aircraft missile system was delivered to President Bashar Assad’s forces by the Russian Defense Ministry in October after the downing of a Russian spy aircraft by Syrian troops that were trying to thwart an Israeli aerial attack. Russian officials insist that Israel bears responsibility for the Syrian downing despite Israeli efforts to present findings proving otherwise.
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S-300 anti-aircraft missile system appears operational
(צילום: ImageSat International (ISI))
Although the battraries have reportedly been operational for nearly four months, this is the first time the defense system has been photographed in an upright position. The batteries are still believed to be in the hands of the Russian troops who will continue training Syrian military personnel on the use of the S-300 in the coming months.
2 View gallery
S-300 anti-aircraft missile system appears operational
(צילום: ImageSat International (ISI))
Earlier, it was announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in two weeks' time. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the meeting will be a follow-up to a previous meeting held in Paris three months ago, and will focus on regional issues, the situation in Syria, and on strengthening the security coordination mechanism between the countries’ militaries.
Netanyahu later issued a statement confirming the discussion will deal with the continued Iranian efforts to establish a long-term presence in Syria.
“We will continue to try and prevent Iran from arming itself. This is the main issue I intend to discuss with President Putin," the prime minister said.
Russia last month demanded that Israel end its "arbitrary" airstrikes on targets in Syria, two days after the Israeli Air Force struck a series of Iranian military and intelligence targets in response to a rocket strike on the Golan Heights.