Russia to Keep S-400 Missile System in Syria, Continues Striking Terrorist Targets

Local Editor

Russia will keep its most advanced air defense system in Syria despite a planned withdrawal of the bulk of Russian forces from there, Sergei Ivanov, the Kremlin's chief-of-staff, was quoted as saying Tuesday.

"In order to efficiently ensure security, including from the air, the most advanced air defense systems are needed," the RIA news agency quoted Ivanov as telling reporters when asked if Russia would keep the S-400 surface-to-air missile system.

With a range of up to 400 kilometers [248.55 miles] the anti-aircraft system means Russia can control large swaths of the skies above Syria.

Russian state television Tuesday showed war planes leaving for redeployment in Russia, a day after President Vladimir Putin ordered most of his country's military contingent there to start to withdraw.

Furthermore, hours after the Russian pullout announcement on Tuesday, a deputy defense minister said at Moscow's airbase in Syria that Russia will continue striking "terrorist targets".

"It is still too early to speak of victory over terrorism. The Russian air group has a task of continuing to strike terrorist targets," deputy defense minister Nikolai Pankov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies at the Hmeimim airbase where Moscow's warplanes are based.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the first group of Russian aircraft had left the base. The group included Tu-154 transport aircraft, and several Su-34 jets.

The first group of Russian Su-34 bomber jets had arrived from Syria and landed in Russia's Voronezh.

The pilots were welcomed home by their family and friends with flags, balloons, and flowers.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team