Moscow announced the move on Wednesday, saying the missiles would help destroy any target that may threaten its warplanes there following the downing of a Russian military jet by Turkey.

Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu asserted on the same day that the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system will be deployed to the Hmeimim airbase.

RIA Novosti on Thursday quoted its own reporter on the ground saying as S-400 missiles have been delivered.

The S-400s are based in Syria's coastal province of Latakia, just 50 kilometers (30 miles) away from the border with Turkey and are capable of striking targets within a 400-kilometer (250-mile) range with deadly precision. AP reported.

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