Russia has vowed to shoot down any US missiles aimed at Syria using its lethal anti-aircraft system amid mounting tensions between Moscow and Washington.
Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s regime is protected by fearsome S-400 defence missiles in a ‘ring of steel’ around the country provided by the Kremlin.
The most advanced of Russia’s terrifying S-400 systems is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and can also be used against ground objectives, according to Russia.
The S-400 was first deployed to Syria in 2015, and with its 248 mile range it is capable of providing an air cover umbrella across the majority of Syria. It is capable of shooting down up to 80 targets simultaneously and is said to be able to travel more than 10,000mph.
Russia is also hoping to sell the system to Iran and Turkey, and a successful demonstration against American hardware would only help sell the $400m per unit system.
Ring of steel: The Syrian air defence system is understood to have been heavily damaged but Russia has a formidable S-400 system (pictured), which has been in place in Syria for more than a year
Firepower: The S-400 is capable of shooting down up to 80 targets simultaneously and is said to be able to travel more than 10,000mph; Russia is also hoping to sell the system to Iran and Turkey, and a successful demonstration against American hardware would only help sell the $400m per unit system
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Russia initially deployed the S-400s to its base in Syria to deter Turkey when the two nations were on the verge of conflict after a Turkish jet downed a Russian bomber on the Syrian border in November 2015.
Sources say it is likely any attack by the US, Britain and France on Syria would be carried out from a safe enough distance to avoid planes being shot down.
The S-400 is also deployed widely in Russia. When it was deployed a Kremlin spokesman said: ‘The main task of the anti-aircraft missile troops of the Russian Aerospace Forces is air defense and protecting vital state, military, industry and energy facilities, as well as the Armed Forces troops and transport communications, from aerospace attacks.
Fears about the S-400 are rising after Moscow’s ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Zasypkin, this morning said any US rockets fired at Syria would be shot down and the launch sites targeted.
US President Donald Trump responded with an incendiary tweet warning that a strike on Syria was imminent and telling Moscow it ‘shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!’
He was referring to a horrifying poison gas attack blamed on Assad’s forces that left 43 dead and hundreds of others injured in rebel-held Douma over the weekend……More Here