Russia Builds-Up Its Air Defenses In Libya

#Russian made hardware in Ras Lanuf identified as 96L6/96L6E "Cheese Board" early-warning and acquisition radar and, possibly, and S-300 missile launcher.#LNA #Libyahttps://t.co/1d0Ci0MDex

— Yellow (@Yellow34950210) August 5, 2020

Warzone/The Drive: New Intel Indicates Russia May Have Sent S-300 Or S-400 Surface To Air Missiles To Libya

Initial photos from Ras Lanuf and recent transport flights suggest Moscow may have bolstered Haftar's defenses by providing advanced SAM batteries.

Imagery appearing on social media channels seems to show the deployment of a Russian-made surface-to-air missile system — from either the S-300 or S-400 family — deployed near Ras Lanuf on the Libyan coast. The oil port is controlled by the Libyan National Army (LNA) commanded by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. Should the presence of these weapons be confirmed, it would mark a new significant escalation in Libya’s civil war and in the involvement of foreign powers backing either side in the conflict.

Unconfirmed media reports last month suggested the LNA had deployed the S-300 along the eastern border with Egypt. The veracity of these reports is unclear as Ras Lanuf is nowhere near the border with Egypt.

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WNU Editor: Russia will not listen to the U.S. when it comes to this .... Erdoğan 'constantly calling' Trump to get Russia to back down in Libya - CNN (Ahval). But the US is trying .... In Nod To Russia, U.S. Condemns Foreign Military Involvement In Libya (RFE).

More News On Russia's Involvement in Libya

Egypt, Russia deploy anti-aircraft systems in Libya to support Haftar -- Libya Observer
How Purported Russian Air Defense Deployment Could Solidify Libya Stalemate -- Forbes
Russia moves to secure its investment in Libya -- Jerusalem Post
Why Russian mercenaries seized control of key oilfield in Libya -- Al Jazeera