Within fortnight the Syrian army will receive from Russia S-300 air-defense missiles to improve its combat capabilities following the downing of a Ilyushin Il-20 in Syria, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.  (Image: illustration).

“A modern S-300 air defense missile system will be supplied to the Syrian Armed Forces within two weeks. It is capable of intercepting air assault weapons at a distance of more than 250 kilometers and hit simultaneously several air targets,” the minister said.

Shoigu said S-300 missiles will strongly strengthen combat capabilities of the Syrian air defense due to their jamming invulnerability and firing speed.

A Russian military aircraft with 15 people onboard has been accidentally shot down by Syrian anti-aircraft defences that were targeting Israeli jets, the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.