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

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."
Sputnik

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.

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.

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