In a meeting with Vladimir Putin, Netanyahu openly threatened Russia, saying that if Russia sends S-300 missiles to Syria, Israel will destroy them before they become operational.
 

However, Putin stressed his government’s resolve to implement all arms contracts with Syria.
 

According to diplomatic sources, those present at the meeting, which took place in Russia last week, were “shocked” by Netanyahu’s frank language.
 

Putin explained that he must fulfill his contractual commitment to Syria so as not to tarnish the image of Russia as a credible supplier, especially after a similar deal with Iran was undermined by international pressure, Maariv reported. Putin alluded to a way to annul the transaction, if Israel or anyone else would purchase the system or “offer an alternative.”
 

During an interview on Thursday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that he had already received some of the shipment of S-300 missiles from Russia, and said that he was expecting the rest of the shipment “soon.”
 

President Assad told the Lebanese TV channel Al-Manar that if Zionist regime of Israel carries out another airstrike in Syria, Syria will strike back.
 

“There is clear popular pressure to open a new front of resistance in the Golan… The next time Israel attacks, if it attacks, we will have a strategic response. A bombing against a bombing,” he said.