Syria received Russian missiles, says Bashar Assad

Syria has received the first shipment of Russian missiles that are part of a more sophisticated air defence system, President Bashar Assad said on Thursday.

Bashar Assad’s comment on the arrival of the long-range S-300 air defence missiles in Syria could further ratchet up tensions in the region and undermine efforts to hold UN-sponsored talks with Syria’s warring sides.

“Syria has received the first shipment of Russian anti-aircraft S-300 rockets,all our agreements with Russia will be implemented and parts of them have already been implemented,” the Syrian leader said.
Israel’s defence chief, Moshe Yaalon, said earlier this week that Russia’s plan to supply Syria with the weapons was a threat and that Israel was prepared to use force to stop the delivery.