According to a British Sunday Times report, Russia has canceled the S-300 advanced weapons defense system deal with Syria.

Israel Radio on Sunday 17 Sivan 5773, quoting “senior government officials” state the report appearing in the Sunday Times is not accurate and Russia has not cancelled the deal.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu recently traveled to Moscow in the hope of persuading Russian President Vladimir Putin to back down from the deal, which will present new formidable challenges for the Israel Air Force. Senior state officials are particularly concerned regarding the timing, realizing with the ongoing civil way in Syria the possibility of the IAF having to operate over Syrian skies is a real and immediate one.

Nevertheless, IAF Commander Major-General Amir Eshel stated last week that while the S-300 advanced air defense system does present challenges for Israel, he explained there is a solution for all systems and the S-300 is not an exception.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)