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Russia gives Belarus S-300 anti-aircraft systems

The S-300 systems are designed to defend major facilities from air attacks

MINSK, July 10. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia’s Defense Ministry has signed a contract for giving S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Belarus.

“All decisions that were taken earlier are reflected in the contract. Now all depends on Belarus. As soon as Belarus signs the contract, the missile systems will be delivered to them,” deputy director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Konstantin Biryulin said on Thursday.

The S-300 systems are designed to defend major facilities from air attacks. They are capable of hitting ballistic and air-supported targets at the distance of 300km, and accompanying up to six targets. The systems are designed by Moscow’s Almaz-Antey Concern.

In October 2013, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Russia was planning to give four S-300 missile systems to Belarus.

“At a meeting with Belarusian Defense Minister Yury Zhadobin, we discussed pressing issues of military cooperation between Russia and Belarus,” Shoigu said.

“We are taking actions to develop and increase the combat potential of the unified regional air defense system. To this end, we are building up the Belarusian air defense capability,” the Russian defense minister said.

“We are planning to hand over four S-300 units to Belarus,” he added.