Sputnik- Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry had stated that Russian-made air defense systems deployed by the Syrian forces managed to intercept 71 of 103 missiles, fired by the United States, France and the UK on April 14.
Several years ago we decided not tosupply S-300 systems toSyria atour partners request. Now, we will consider options toensure the Syrian states security afterthis outrageous act ofaggression fromthe United States, France and Great Britain, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the BBC.
Responding tothe interviewers question whether the foreign minister was implying that the recent developments inSyria had made Russia rethink its stance onsupplies ofthe S-300 long range surface-to-air missile systems, Lavrov said that Moscow was ready toconsider any means tohelp the Syrian army curb further aggression.
Lavrovs interview withthe BBC came two days afterthe US, France and the UK carried outcoordinated airstrikesagainstSyria inresponse tothe alleged use ofchemical weapons bygovernment forces inthe city ofDouma inEastern Ghouta. According tothe Russian Defense Ministry, Syrian air defense systems managed tointercept 71 outof the 103 missiles, fired bythe trilateral alliance. The Ministrys spokesman said that the Syrian army had used Russian-made air defense systems such asS-125, S-200, aswell asBuk and Kvadrat units torepel the missile strike.
The joint attack was conducted amidreports, covered byseveral media outlets, citing militants, that the Syrian army had dropped a chlorine bomb oncivilians inDouma, withthe infamous White Helmets tweeting purported footage ofthe aftermath ofthe alleged chemical weapons use. The West was quick toblame the chemical attack onBashar Assads forces, while the Syrian government strongly denied its involvement, denouncing the entire incident asa false flag.