Syria, October 6 — Syrian ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad confirmed the deployment of the S-300 surface-to-air system in Syria, citing required [air defense] protection for Russian troops.
In addition Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed “let me repeat: both the S-300 and the S-400 are purely defensive armaments, which do not threaten anyone”.
Our possible interpretation:
— The Russian S-300 and the S-400 SAMs (surface-to-air) armaments (built by the Russian defense contractor Almaz-Antey) are considered to be the most advanced mobile “air-defense curtains” currently deployed in the world.
In terms of a game of chess, imagine two rooks staggered near each other in such a manner that no enemy pieces can “pass” the kill zones illuminated by the rooks. In a somewhat similar fashion any number of S-300/S-400 systems can be linked to create essentially “air kill zones”, even to high altitude stealth aircraft.
The system according to Russian foreign minister is for “defensive” purposes. Yes but last we were able to check, the ISIS/ISIL forces are not operating high altitude stealth bombers or reconnaissance, or for the matter of fact operating any combat aviation assets in the area.
This leaves the US and the Coalition forces, including Turkey with combat aviation assets in the area. Perhaps this has nothing at all to do with the US-led coalition destruction of a Syrian army unit in middle of last month. Perhaps otherwise.
Although mobile SAMs are “defensive armaments” do keep in mind that it is always a good idea to move SAMs forward into the enemy territory just before opening a new incursion front. (As an example see the October 6, 1973 Yom Kippur War).
Read both, full article at TASS Riyad Haddad, Sergey Lavrov comments, DW (Syrian army bombed by US).