The Russian-supplied S-300 surface-to-air missile system in Syria has reportedly become operational, in Moscow’s efforts to provide the Assad regime with more-advanced anti-aircraft capabilities. According to satellite-images that were taken by Israeli ImageSat International company and published yesterday by the IDF, three out of four aerial defense batteries were captured in an upright position, while the fourth one remained covered by a net. That said, reports have indicated that the S-300 batteries have been operational for nearly four months yet remained in the hands of the Russian forces who are training the Syrian military personnel on the use of the advanced surface-to-air systems in the coming months. While an Israeli Air Force source told TV7 that Israeli pilots have trained against the S-300 many times in the past, the batteries will increase the challenges posed to Israel‘s fighter-jets in future operations. That is why, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced earlier this week a scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which Iran’s entrenchment in Syria and Israel’s national security interests will be toping their meeting’s agenda.
