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S-300 Missile System Deployed In Syria By Russia, Is World War 3 On The Horizon?

By Louis Babcock
Published on: 10:01 PST, Oct 4, 2016

Russia has deployed an S-300 missile system at the Russian navy base in the port of Tartus in Syria. Relations between the United States and Russia have deteriorated due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, according to the BBC. Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for Russia’s defence ministry, commented on why an S-300 missile system was deployed in Syria.

“Let me remind you that the S-300 is a purely defensive system and poses no threat to anyone. It is unclear why the deployment of the S-300 caused such alarm among our Western partners.”

What Is The S-300 Missile System?

The S-300 series of Russia’s missiles are specifically designed as an aircraft and missile deterrent. These surface-to-air missiles were first designed back during the time of the Soviet Union and were first activated in 1979. The S-300 missile system has evolved a lot since 1979. The specific version of the S-300 that is now in Syria is called the S-300VM. NATO refers to it as SA-23.

The S-300VM is considered to be one of the most advanced anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems in the world. The entire unit consists of a command vehicle, guidance radar, surveillance radar, and six launchers. The range of the missiles is up to 160 miles.

The S-300VM is so advanced that it can be engaged with up to 24 airplanes, 16 ballistic missiles, or any combination of the two, simultaneously. It became the first anti-aircraft and anti-missile system in the world to be able to engage with the two types of targets at the same time.

Yesterday, the United States and Russia formally stopped communicating with each other in regard to how terrorists in Syria would be targeted. In response to the ceasing of communication between the two countries over Syria, the Chicago Tribune is reporting that the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, put a stop to a deal with the United States over the disposal of weapons-grade plutonium.

Russia believes that the United States is trying to place the blame on the situation in Syria directly at the feet of the Russians. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was very direct in giving the reason as to why the communication between the two nations had failed.

“Washington simply did not fulfil the key condition of the agreement to improve the humanitarian condition around Aleppo.”

White House spokesman Josh Earnest countered Zakharova’s statement.

“What’s clear is that there is nothing more for the United States and Russia to talk about with regard to trying to reach an agreement that would reduce the violence inside of Syria and that’s tragic.”

Last month, the two countries worked together to initiate a ceasefire which rapidly failed. Experts are saying that tension between the two superpowers is as high, or higher, as it was during the Cold War. Some even fear that conflict in Syria is a proxy war between the United States and Russia and could potentially lead to World War 3. Russia may think that World War 3 is a real possibility due to an earlier report by the Inquisitr that spoke about Russia preparing its population for nuclear war.

Russia deploying one of their S-300 missile systems into Syria is seen as a substantial military maneuver. This is the first time that Russia has deployed one of these systems outside of its country’s borders.

Do you view Russia’s deployment of an S-300 missile system as an act of aggression or defense?

[Featured Image By Ivan Sekretarev/AP Images]

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