Moscow, AP, 26 Nov. 2015 – In a move that could raise the potential threat of a Russia-NATO encounter, Russia said on Wednesday it will deploy long-range air defense missiles to its base in Syria and destroy any target that may threaten its warplanes following the downing of a Russian military jet by Turkey.
Although Russia’s state-owned RIA Novosti news agency has reported that Russia has already deployed long-range air defense missiles at its base in Syria.
The incident was the first time in half a century that a NATO member shot down a Russian plane. If Russia responds by downing a Turkish plane, NATO member Turkey could proclaim itself under attack and ask the alliance for military assistance.

A Russian S-400 missile blasts off near Astrakhan, 1150 km south of Moscow

The S-400 missiles, which Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered sent to the Hemeimeem air base in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia, just 50 km away from the border with Turkey, are capable of striking targets within a 400 km range with deadly precision. The military also moved the navy missile cruiser Moskva closer to the shore to help protect Russian warplanes with its long-range Fort air defense system.