(VOVWORLD) - Russian President Vladimir Putin told Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday that Russia will strengthen Syria's air defense, providing it with an S-300 surface-to-air missile system.
 Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Sochi on May 17, 2018 (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
The decision came after a Russian surveillance plane was mistakenly downed by Syria's S-200 air defense system last week.
A Kremlin statement said both sides are ready for further joint efforts to achieve long-term normalization in Syria, and restoration of its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.