Russia To Retain S-400 Air Defense System In Syria

Russia will not move S-400 air defense system despite plans to withdraw bulk of Russian armed forces out of Syria.

"In order to efficiently ensure security, including from the air, the most advanced air defence systems are needed," Kremlin’s Chief of staff, Sergei Ivanov was quoted as saying to Ria Novosti when asked if Russia would keep the air defense system in Syria.

“Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered to redeploy main part of the Russian Armed Forces grouping which had been performing tasks on eliminating terrorists in Syria, starting from March 15, 2016,” the Russian Ministry of Defensesaid in a statement today.

Russia had deployed S-400 anti-aircraft missile system at the Hmeimim airbase on the Turkish-Syrian border.