ussian forces could shoot down coalition jets if the United States launches airstrikes against pro-government forces in Syria, the Russian ministry of defence has said.
American officials have reportedly discussed using limited airstrikes to force Bashar al-Assads government to halt its assault on Aleppo and return the negotiating table after a ceasefire collapsed last month.
In Moscows starkest warning yet against Western intervention in the war, Russias chief military spokesman said that any airstrikes on government-held territory in Syria would be considered a clear threat to Russian servicemen.
Today, the Syrian army has effective S-200, Buk and other air defense systems, which have undergone technical renovation in the past year, he said.
I remind US 'strategists' that air cover for the Russian military bases in Tartus and Hmeymim includes S-400 and S-300 anti aircraft missile systems, the range of which may come as a surprise to any unidentified flying objects, he added.
Russian air defence troops would not have time to identify the flight path of incoming rockets or aircraft that fired them, and would respond immediately, Maj. Gen. Konashenkov added.
Officials from the State Department, CIA, and Joint Chiefs of Staff discussed using limited airstrikes to pressure Bashar al-Assad to halt an assault on Aleppo and return to the negotiating table at a meeting in the White House last week, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.
Russia earlier rejected a calls from John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, for a total suspension of military flights over Syria in order to restore the ceasefire.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/06/russian-air-defence-missiles-would-respond-if-us-launches-air-st/