Russia’s arming its Su-34 warplanes in Syria with air-to-air missiles can only complicate an already difficult situation in Syria’s airspace, Pentagon spokesperson Michelle Baldanza has told TASS.

"Such systems will further complicate an already difficult situation in the skies over Syria and do nothing to further the fight against ISIL [the former name of the terrorist group Islamic State which is outlawed in Russian] as they have no air force," she said. "•We expect that if Russia follows through, they will abide by our Memorandum of Understanding regarding flight safety and not direct this system against Coalition aircraft."

On Monday, spokesman for the Russian Aerospace Forces Colonel Igor Klimov said Russia’s Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers (NATO reporting name: Fullback) had for the first time taken, in addition to bombs, short-and medium-range air-to-air missiles on combat mission in Syria.

"The Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers today have for the first time taken on combat mission not only the OFAB-500 air bombs and KAB-500 guided bombs, but also short-and medium-range air-to-air missiles. The planes are equipped with missiles for their defence," Klimov said.

According to him, the missiles "are equipped with target seeking devices and are capable of hitting air targets within the range of 60 kilometres."

Sources: MENA