WarSclerotic

New satellite images made public Wednesday showed four S-300 anti-aircraft missile batteries, supplied by Russia, deployed in various locations in Syria, although some components of the system still appeared to be absent.

The images were released by ImageSat International ISI, which assessed that the systems are not yet operational.

The images also show special structures built adjacent to the batteries, along with other system components concealed under camouflage netting.

One of the batteries is positioned 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) from a Russian-made S-400 battery already deployed in the country.

ImageSat analysts noted that at this stage, it wasn’t clear whether the system was being operated by Syrian or Russian soldiers.

Earlier this month, Israel’s Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi downplayed the impact of the S-300, saying Israel’s stealth fighters could defeat the new, upgraded system and possibly destroy it on the ground.

In a rare announcement in September, Israel confirmed it had carried out more than 200 airstrikes in Syria over the last two years – at an average rate of twice a week – with Russia largely turning a blind eye.