Russia has already deployed long-range air defense missiles at its base in Syria, the Associated Press reports citing state-owned RIA Novosti news agency.

Moscow announced the move on Wednesday, November 25, saying the missiles would help destroy any target that may threaten its warplanes there following the downing of a Russian military jet by Turkey.

RIA Novosti on Thursday quoted its own reporter on the ground saying as S-400 missiles have been delivered.

The S-400s are based in Syria's coastal province of Latakia, just 50 kilometers away from the border with Turkey and are capable of striking targets within a 400-kilometer range with deadly precision.