US Officials Believe Russia Deployed S-300 Missile System to Syria

Local Editor

Moscow had for the first time deployed the S-300 [NATO reporting name SA-23 Gladiator] advanced anti-missile and anti-aircraft system to Syria, Fox News reported Tuesday, citing three unnamed US officials.

According to the Fox News broadcaster, the anti-missile system arrived at a naval base in Syria's coastal city of Tartus over the weekend in the first foreign deployment of the S-300.

There has been no official confirmation of the move from Moscow so far.

US officials said the new weapon system could potentially counter any American cruise missile attack in Syria, Fox news said.

It is the first time Russia had deployed the SA-23 system outside its borders, according to one Western official citing a recent intelligence assessment. The missiles and associated components are still in their crates and are not yet operational, according to the officials.

The news come a day after the United States suspended its engagement with Russia on Syria ceasefire, citing Moscow's and the Syrian government's alleged non-compliance with the peace accords.

The S-300 anti-missile and anti-aircraft system has a range of up to 150 miles.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team