The Russian government, under the leadership of its tough President Vladimir Putin, is bringing out the big guns and showing off its defence capability in Syria.
Russia's military recently deployed an advanced anti-missile defence system that is so powerful it can shoot down an aircraft at a maximum altitude of 90,000 feet or twice the height flown by commercial aircraft.
The Russian military even released photos of the powerful S-400 Air Defence System, deployed at the Latakia Airbase on the Syrian coast. This anti-missile defence system is also known as the SA-21 "Growler" to member-states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
In an effort to further publicise Russia's military might, the Russian Ministry of Defence even invited a group of 50 foreign journalists to the location of the missile defence system and let them take a look at the system's radar technology.
The radar complex is just one of the anti-missile defence system's three portions capable of tracking 300 targets and controlling six anti-aircraft missile launchers.
The "Growler" is likewise known to have a maximum range of 250 miles. At its current position, the anti-missile defence can cover the area spanning Syria, southern Turkey, Cyprus, the eastern Mediterranean as well as much of Israel.
It can also very well monitor and even target British aircraft using RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. It is also capable of intercepting American aircraft such as the US Air Force F-15 and F-16.
Russian analyst Yury Barmin said on Twitter that the deployment of the "Growler" is more of Russia's expression of might, particularly directed towards Turkey and Israel.
"Alleged S400 complex radar was spotted at the Russian air base in Latakia. Another 'accidental' leak by Russia's MoD. By deploying S400 to Latakia, Russia sends signal to Turkey and Israel but also creates a shield over Syria's coastal areas," Barmin said, as quoted by MailOnline.
The "Growler," however, may even be more powerful than previously thought. Some Russian defence officials earlier claimed it can even target the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor aircraft.
"Even if a plane is flying low and with the same speed as a vehicle moving on the ground, the radar will show it on the screen. For the S-400 there is no such thing as "stealth" aircraft, the system will see it and will shoot it down," a Russian missile commander was quoted by MailOnline as saying.
Russia has been flexing its military muscle in Syria, primarily as part of its campaign against the extremist organisation, the Islamic State (ISIS).
Russian defence officials claimed to have performed 85 combat sorties, attacking 277 terrorist locations in Aleppo, Damascus, Lattakia, Hama, Homs and Idib provinces in the past two days alone.
