Putin sends air-defense missiles to Syria to deter Turkey

Russia “will never tolerate such atrocities as happened today,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.
Russia “will never tolerate such atrocities as happened today,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

Russia said Wednesday that it will deploy long-range air defense missiles to its base in Syria and destroy any target that may threaten its warplanes after the downing of a Russian military jet by Turkey.

If Russia shoots down a Turkish plane, Turkey, a NATO member, could proclaim itself under attack and ask the alliance for military assistance.

The S-400 missiles, which Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to be sent to the Hemeimeem air base in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia just 30 miles away from the border with Turkey, are capable of striking targets within 250-mile range with a deadly precision. The military also moved the navy missile cruiser Moskva closer to the shore to help protect Russian warplanes with its long-range Fort air defense system.

“It will be ready to destroy any aerial target posing a potential danger to our aircraft,” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting with military officials. He added that from now on Russian bombers will always be escorted by fighters on combat missions over Syria, and announced the severance of all military ties with Turkey.

Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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