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Air defenses of the Hmeimim airbase where the Russian aviation group in Syria is stationed will soon be reinforced with an S-400 air defense missile system, Russian Defense Minister Gen. of the Army Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting of the Defense Ministry Board on Nov. 25.
"An S-400 air defense missile system will be moved to the Hmeimim airfield in accordance with the decision of the supreme commander-in-chief to provide air defense in every sector," the minister said.
"The same as before, we will not ignore such incidents," Shoigu said in his comment on the downing of a Sukhoi Su-24 bomber in Syria on Nov. 24.
"This case is special," he said.
"With this in mind, the supreme commander-in-chief has given related instructions," Shoigu noted.
"An action plan and a number of measures were prepared overnight," he said.
"I am requesting that everyone concerned begin their fulfillment immediately. The General Staff has made a number of moves," he said.
"High priority measures have already been taken. Our Moskva missile cruiser has been relocated to a new place of combat duty. It is positioned in the coastal zone of Latakia and is ready to destroy any airborne target posing a potential threat to our aviation," the minister said.
"Besides, every operation of attack aircraft will now be performed exclusively with the support of fighter jets," the minister said.
"An S-400 air defense missile system will be moved to the Hmeimim airfield in accordance with the decision of the supreme commander-in-chief to provide air defense in every sector," the minister said.
"We are stopping all military contacts with Turkey," the minister added.
"Let me say this again: every instruction and decision has been made and approved by the supreme commander-in-chief. I request that you start their implementation immediately," he said.
