'Russia begins withdrawal but will keep advanced air defence systems in Syria'

Moscow: Russia will use advanced air defence systems to protect its remaining contingent in Syria after some of its forces are pulled out, a senior Kremlin official said Tuesday.

"We will keep a fully reliable cover of the remaining contingent," said Kremlin chief of staff Sergei Ivanov. "To effectively ensure security, including from the air, the most modern air defence technology is necessary," he was quoted by Russian agencies as saying.