Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his ground forces to strengthen its position between Syria and Turkey’s border with S-400 SAM system. Eliminate and Shoot down any aircraft that will possibly be a threat to Russian aircraft conducting operations on the ISIS terrorist group in Syria. Russia’s Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Wednesday.
President Putin described the Turkish action as a “crime” and a “stab in the back” and called Turkey “an accomplished of terrorist.”
Minister Sergey Shoigu said that the Russian Air Force base in Latakia will soon be deployed and reinforced with S-400 SAM, Surface to Air Missile.
Shoigu said at a Defense Ministry meeting. “S-400 will be deployed on Khmeimim airbase in Syria,”
Watch: S400 missile system arrival in Syria
Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian Su-24 was shot down by a Turkish F-16 fighter jet near the Turkish-Syrian border. One pilot died in the incident. The second one was rescued and brought to the Russian airbase in Latakia.
Moscow officials maintain that their bomber jet ditched on Syria’s territory four kilometers from the border did not violate Turkey’s airspace. - Carl E.
