Pentagon: Russian S400 systems keep American planes out of the skies

The Kremlin has used sophisticated anti-aircraft systems to protect their aircraft in Syria and, according to the Pentagon, the S-400 are responsible for keeping the American fighters down.

Earlier this month, Moscow has positioned anti-aircraft systems S-400 in Syria. The latest generation defense systems has three types of missiles able to destroy air targets at short and long range, and the decision came after Turkey shoot down a Russian fighter S-24 in Syrian airspace.


We believe that the measures taken by Russia after the criminal actions of a Turkish aircraft - specifically the use of anti-aircraft defense systems at sea and on land - are an important step that will ensure security for Russian and Syrian military, "said the Syrian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Faisal Mekdad.



However, according to American officials who spoke to Bloomberg, the S-400 systems are also causing the unmanned American aircraft did not take off. The Pentagon is still trying to adjust its strategy in the region.

"The largest number of air defense systems in Syria is another example that Russia and the (Syrian) regime are trying to hinder the global campaign against Daesh" said Major Tim Smith.

"Illegal actions of Russia and the Syrian regime will not stop the operations of the coalition against Daesh in Syria will not shake the coalition specific areas where the Daesh are operating," he added.

Moscow, in turn, does not hide its efforts to join forces with the West in the fight against Daesh, also known as the Islamic State.

"Today, again, we face a destructive ideology and have no right to allow them to achieve their goals," Putin said in his annual address to the nation this month. "We must discard all disputes and differences and form a firm handle an anti-terror unified front that will act based on international law and will be supported by the UN," he added.

While the Pentagon avoids using drones in the vicinity of Russian air defenses, operations with drones continue. The campaign of the US-led coalition against Daesh in Syria has lasted over a year, but did little to reduce Daesh revenues from the illegal sale of oil.