Russia withdrew part of the military and anti-aircraft missile systems of the S-300 from Syria to transfer them to Ukraine. It is reported by The New York Times with reference to Western and Israeli sources.
Sources report that two battalions of 1200-1600 military and several commanders were withdrawn from Syria. However, the total number of relocated troops can be larger. According to experts familiar with the situation, the Russian military leadership in Moscow began to participate less in the daily management of operations in the republic, including military coordination with Israel.
Previously, the presence of a S-300 in Syria held Israel from sending military equipment to Ukraine. Russia did not transfer control over these air defense systems to the Syrian government, but in Tel Aviv they feared that they could be used against Israeli aircraft.