Putin sends state-of-the-art missile system to Russian air base in Syria, 50km from Turkish border
Defiant move from Putin increases threat of confrontation in region
Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday ordered state-of-the art air defence missile systems to be deployed at a Russian air base in Syria following the downing of a Russian warplane by Turkey, a move that raised the threat of a military confrontation between the Nato member and Russia.
READ MORE: How a Russian warplane's 17-second presence in Turkish airspace sent tensions soaring
The S-400 missile systems, which will be sent to the Hemeimeem air base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia, located just about 50km south of the border with Turkey, are capable of targeting Turkish jets with deadly precision. If Russia shot down a Turkish plane, Nato would be required to intervene.
READ MORE: Downed Russian pilot arrives at air base after 12-hour rescue mission by Syrian army
Putin, who said the Russian plane remained in Syria's skies when it was shot down, ordered the military to deploy the S-400s to Hemeimeem and took other measures that "should be sufficient to ensure flight safety".
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the Russian missile cruiser Moskva had moved closer to shore to protect the Russian aircraft flying missions near Syria's border with Turkey with its long-range Fort air defence system.
Shoigu also said that from now on all Russian bombers would be escorted by fighters on their combat missions in Syria. He said that his ministry had severed all contacts with the Turkish military.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who cancelled his trip to Turkey after the incident, described the shooting down of the Russian plane as a "planned provocation".