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Intel: Turkey to test Russian S-400 air defense system amid tensions in NATO

NATO's secretary-general urged Turkey on Monday to seek alternatives to the Russian system, but Turkey plans to test-fire the S-400 this month.

A rocket launches from a S-400 missile system at the Ashuluk military base in Southern Russia on September 22, 2020 during the "Caucasus-2020" military drills gathering China, Iran, Pakistan and Myanmar troops, along with ex-Soviet Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus. - Up to 250 tanks and around 450 infantry combat vehicles and armoured personnel carriers will take part in the September 21 to 26 land and naval exercises that will involve 80,000 people including support staff. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP) (
A rocket launches from a S-400 missile system at the Ashuluk military base in southern Russia on Sept. 22, 2020, during the "Caucasus-2020" military drills gathering troops from China, Iran, Pakistan and Myanmar, along with those from ex-Soviet countries Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus. — DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey has issued aviation warnings for the area of the northern city of Sinop amid reports that Ankara’s military intends to test its Russian-built S-400 air defense system within the next two weeks.

“Missile firing will take place” up to 200,000 feet between Oct. 13-16 near the Black Sea coastal city of Sinop, a “notice to airmen” issued by the Turkish government read. Another notice listed civil aviation routes in the area that would be closed during the exercise. Unmanned aerial vehicles are also scheduled to be flown in the area.

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