Israel believes Russia has heard its concerns over possible shipment of S-300s to Syria
MOSCOW. June 13 (Interfax) - Israel believes that the Russian leadership has heard its concerns about the possible shipment of S-300 air defense systems to Syria, a high-ranking Israeli diplomat said.
"I think the Russian leader has heard our concerns," Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin said at a press conference at the Interfax main office on Wednesday.
"Israel has great concerns about the prospect of such supplies for the following reason: weapons that can be considered defensive in Russia, taking into account Russia's size, turn into offensive ones in the Middle East. The deployment of such systems in Damascus means that any plane, either a civilian or a military one, can be intercepted over the entire territory of Israel. Naturally, it is difficult for us to view these weapons as defensive," he said.
"Considering the instability in Syria, it is also a question into whose hands these weapons will fall into in the future. This endangers the security of nearly all air connections with Israel, both civilian and military ones," he said.