- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

State Dept Warns of 'Serious Escalation' if Russia Sent S-300 to Syria

© Photo : Russian Defence Ministry  / Go to the mediabankS-300 Favorite surface-to-air missile systems. (File)
S-300 Favorite surface-to-air missile systems. (File) - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The US State Department has said that if Russia sent its S-300 air defense systems to Syria, it would lead to a "serious escalation."

Washington hopes Moscow did not deploy S-300 air defense systems in Syria because that would lead to a serious escalation of the situation, US Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

"I cannot confirm that that is accurate. I hope that they did not, that would be a serious escalation and concern," Nauert said when asked about the administration's reaction to reports Russia had sent S-300 systems to Syria.

S-300 Favorite surface-to-air missile systems during a bilateral drill of air defense and aviation forces of the Western Military Distric - Sputnik International
Delivery of S-300 to Syria Matter for Damascus, Moscow to Decide - Cairo
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu previously said that the work on installing a unified air defense control system in Syria would be finalized by October 20, noting that Russia had started delivering the equipment for its creation.

Earlier, Moscow had announced that it would provide Syria with the S-300 as part of its response to the downing of a Russian Il-20 plane in Latakia with 15 airmen onboard.

READ MORE: Russia's S-300 Systems 'Enough' to Respond to Israel's Threat — Syrian FM

Meanwhile, US spokesman Colonel Sean Ryan has stated that Russia's decision to provide Syria with S-300 systems has had no impact on US-led forces on the ground. "It hasn't changed anything," Ryan said.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала