Russia provided Syria with three S-300 PM-2 anti-aircraft missile systems, which are more advanced than the S-300 system Moscow has recently delivered to Damascus, Russian newspaper Izvestia cited a Russian Defense Ministry official as saying.

According to the report, the S-300 system differs from the S-300 PM-2 system by its cutting-edge radars and advanced ability to identify targets as well as its mobile command center.

It was also said that the S-300 PM-2 system is able to handle fifth-generation fighter jets and can intercept not only short-range ballistic missiles, but also medium-range rockets of up to 250 kilometers (155 miles).

In addition, the system is capable of defeating electronic warfare systems.

Meanwhile, officials from the Russian Defense Ministry denied that Iranian forces are operating the new system.

The officials stressed the Iranians have never worked with the advanced system, which only Russian troops know how to operate.

Last month, Russia provided Syria with an S-300 anti-missile system, following the downing of the Ilyushin IL-20 by the Syrian forces that tried to intercept an Israeli missile strike on the coastal city of Latakia.

Russia views Israel as the responsible for the downing of the plane. Moscow claims Israel has misled it about its attack zone and did not inform the Russian air force enough time in advance about the strike.

The anti-aircraft missile system came into use by the Russian army in 2010, and has not yet been delivered to any other county.

A Russian official said last week that before the S-300 system was delivered to Syria in September, it had been used by Moscow, which began using the more advanced S-400 defense system.

The S-300 defense system was transferred to Syrian free of charge.

Footage showing S-300 system transfer to Syria