BISHKEK (TASS) — In a clear step toward the re-integration of Kyrgyzstan in the Russian dominium, an agreement for shipment of drones and S-300 air defence systems was achieved during President Sadyr Zhaparov’s visit to Moscow on February 24-25.

S-300 Air Defence System

During the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict the S-300 system took active part in an armed conflict for the first time, being listed in the active inventory of both sides in different versions. The first alleged combat firing of the S-300 happened during the night between 1 and 2 October when the Armenia claimed their S-300s had downed three Azeri drones bound for Yerevan. On 18 October 2020, Azerbaijan claimed that an Azeri S-300PMU2 system shot down an Armenian Su-25 fighter jet.
(© Sergei Bobylev / TASS)

Zhaparov’s spokesman Galina Baiterek announced today:

The agreements on further military-defensive cooperation were important. In particular, agreements on shipment of S-300 missile systems and strike drones, which will become Russia’s important contribution to the security of both the Kyrgyz republic and the EAEU and CSTO outer borders.

Eight years ago, Russia and Kyrgyzstan signed an inter-governmental agreement on cooperation in military-technical field, by which Russia must ship $1 bln worth of modern weapons to the republic.

Both states are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Russia’s United military base, which also includes the Kant Air Force base, is located in the Republic.