Russia changes number of US missiles shot down in Syria

"Data collected from air defense and reconnaissance systems, field work and eyewitness interviews show that the Pantsyr, Osa, Strela-10, Buk, Kvadrat and S-125 anti-aircraft missile systems protecting the Syrian capital and the nearby Duvali, Dumayr, Bley and Mezze airfields of the Syrian Air Force destroyed 46 cruise missiles," said Sergey Rudskoy, head of the Russian General Staff's Main Operations Directorate yesterday.

The US-coalition missiles were destroyed in five interception zones: three of them were located west of Damascus and the other two were east of the Syrian capital, Mr. Rudskoy added, according to Tass.

The Russian official also said that Moscow would soon supply Syria with a new missile defense system. He did not specify the type of weapon, but Russian media previously reported that Moscow was considering selling the S-300 air defense missile system to Syria.

After accusing the Syrian government of a chemical attack that killed dozens of civilians in Douma, the US, UK and France launched 105 missiles into Syria on April 14. Russia initially said that Syrian air defenses shot down 71 missiles before revising the number to 46. Meanwhile, the Pentagon confirmed that no missiles were shot down.

Russia said on April 25 that its experts were examining two missiles fired by the US-led coalition in the Syria airstrike. Moscow said the results of the examination would be used to improve Russian weapons.