MOSCOW. Oct 24 (Interfax-AVN) - Syrian insurgents have man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) produced in the U.S. and other countries, Russian armed forces Chief of Staff Gen. Nikolai Makarov told journalists.
"The Russian General Staff has information that the militants fighting against Syrian government forces have MANPADS produced in various countries, including U.S.-made 'Stingers'," Makarov said.
In commenting on media reports that U.S. President Barack Obama's administration ordered arming the Syrian opposition with a shipment of MANPADS, Makarov said, "Americans are denying this, saying that they did not ship anything to the militants. However, we have reliable information that militants in Syria have foreign-made MANPADS, including American-made ones," he said. "As for who provided them with these systems, it still needs to be found out," he added.
Makarov suggested that it is quite possible that Syrian insurgents are being supplied with weapons and ammunition, including MANPADS, using various means of transportation, including aircraft. "All kinds of transport vehicles could be used for this, including civilian aircraft. This is a serious matter," he said.