Russia confirms missiles will not come till Autumn

RUSSIA yesterday confirmed that its controversial S-300 missiles would not arrive in Cyprus before the Autumn.

Government sources have already stated that delivery of the Russian-made ground-to-air missiles – originally set for August – had been put back till October.

The Russian ambassador in Ankara, Vadim Kuznetsov, told Agence France Presse (AFP) yesterday that delivery had been put back at the request of the Cyprus House of Representatives.

“Delivery of the S-300 systems has been postponed until late Autumn under a decision by the Cypriot parliament,” Kuznetsov stated.

Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou, responding to the Russian official’s statement, said he knew of no such request from the House.

“I cannot comment on when the missiles will be delivered, but I can say the House never made such a request,” Omirou said.

The government decision to spend $420 million on the S-300s has raised tensions on the island, with Turkey threatening to use force to prevent their deployment. The EU and the US have both called for the deal to be shelved, but the government remains adamant the missiles will arrive.

Kuznetsov defended the planned missile sale. “This is an entirely economic matter and has nothing to do with politics. Had we not agreed to sell the missiles, Cyprus would have bought them from another supplier,” he said.

“We don’t believe that those missiles will threaten Turkey’s security,” he added.

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