Russia has strengthened its anti-aircraft defences in Syria by moving a cruiser towards the coast and deploying new missiles at its main base. The Moskva cruiser’s long-range air defence system provide cover for Russian aircraft.
At the same time the row over Turkey’s downing of a Russian combat jet on Tuesday continues. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Russia not to “play with fire” with its operations in Syria and Russia has suspended its visa-free arrangement with Turkey and is planning to introduce a wide range of economic sanctions.
President Vladimir Putin wants an apology from Turkey before he will speak to Mr Erdogan.
Moscow rejected Turkey’s assertion that its SU-24 fighter jet had flown into Turkish air space for 17 seconds after ignoring repeated warnings to change course. A senior Russian commander said the jet had in fact been “ambushed” by two Turkish F-16s patrolling the area for more than an hour beforehand. He said Russian and Syrian radar data proved that a Turkish jet had fired a missile from 2km (1.2 miles) inside Syria. Turkey did not respond to the allegation.
