Russia boosts Syrian air defense

MOSCOW - Russia has announced new security measures to protect its military in Syria, including supplying the Syrian Army with an S-300 air defense system and jamming radars of nearby warplanes following the downing of a Russian plane last week.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said President Vladimir Putin ordered additional security measures after a Syrian S-200 missile shot down the Russian surveillance plane by mistake last week, killing 15 in an accident Moscow blames on Israel.

"This has pushed us to adopt adequate response measures directed at boosting the security of Russian troops "in Syria, Shoigu said in a televised statement.