Russia “sends sophisticated weapons” to Syria

NEW YORK Russia has sent sophisticated anti-ship missiles to Syria, U.S. media have reported, quoting unnamed U.S. officials. The missiles could be used to counter any potential future foreign military intervention in Syria, the BBC has reported. Russia “sends sophisticated weapons” to Syria Without confirming details, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pointed out that Russia did not break any international rules. Lavrov said on Friday he did not understand "why the media is trying to create a sensation out of this". "We have not hidden that we supply weapons to Syria under signed contracts, without violating any international agreements, or our own legislation,” he stressed. A recent Russian shipment to Syria included an advanced form of the Yakhont, a 6.7 meter-long missile with a range of 290 kilometers and carrying either a high-explosive or amour-piercing warhead. The information comes amid growing alarm that chemical weapons may be being used in Syria, something U.S. President Barack Obama has said would be "a red line". Russia is one of Syria's few remaining allies and its major arms suppliers, the BBC points out. Over the years, in contracts worth billions of dollars, it has sold thousands of tanks, artillery units, aircraft, helicopters and defense systems to Damascus. (www.sxc.hu) Tanjug

Russia “sends sophisticated weapons” to Syria

Without confirming details, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pointed out that Russia did not break any international rules.

Lavrov said on Friday he did not understand "why the media is trying to create a sensation out of this".

"We have not hidden that we supply weapons to Syria under signed contracts, without violating any international agreements, or our own legislation,” he stressed.

A recent Russian shipment to Syria included an advanced form of the Yakhont, a 6.7 meter-long missile with a range of 290 kilometers and carrying either a high-explosive or amour-piercing warhead.

The information comes amid growing alarm that chemical weapons may be being used in Syria, something U.S. President Barack Obama has said would be "a red line".

Russia is one of Syria's few remaining allies and its major arms suppliers, the BBC points out.

Over the years, in contracts worth billions of dollars, it has sold thousands of tanks, artillery units, aircraft, helicopters and defense systems to Damascus.