Russia is still in contact with Turkey about the S-400 missile system, TASS quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov at a press conference on July 10.
I can only say that this issue is extremely sensitive. We have contacted the Turkish side about this issue and will maintain contact," said the Kremlin spokesman.
A day earlier, the pro-government Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported that the S-400 system that Turkey bought from Russia had been sold to one of the Persian Gulf countries. The agreement will be announced in the near future. Mr. Peskov was asked if Ankara had discussed this deal with Moscow and how Russia responded.
Turkish media reported that Ankara is seeking a legal solution to meet Washington's request, allowing it to be exempted from CAATSA sanctions and rejoin the F-35 fighter program. Within the framework of these efforts, the sale of Russian-made S-400 missiles to one of the Persian Gulf countries is being discussed. The United Arab Emirates is identified as a potential buyer of the S-400 system.
Turkey bought 4 S-400 complexes from Russia under a contract worth 2.5 billion USD in 2017. In October 2019, Rosoboronexport, a state-owned corporation of Rostec, announced that the contracted delivery was completed. After Turkey and Russia signed a contract to supply S-400s, Ankara was removed from Washington's F-35 program.
The S-400 Triumf manufactured by Russia is one of the most advanced and famous surface-to-air missile systems in the world. Turkey is the first NATO member country to buy Russia's S-400 missile system. Previously, Russia only supplied this missile system to a few countries such as China, India, Saudi Arabia.
The operating range and ability to use many different types of missiles makes the Triumf the most powerful air defense system" - Almaz-Antey Group CEO Yan Novikov once shared.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has repeatedly informed that the S-400 has been successfully used in repelling attacks by Ukraine, including attacks by ATACMS long-range missiles and Western Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
India used S-400 missiles in Operation Sindoor in May 2025 when fighting with neighboring Pakistan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later said that the country's air defense system, with the presence of Russian-made S-400 missiles, was the decisive factor in the operation. After that, he visited Adampur Air Force Base in Punjab state and had a photo with the appearance of S-400 missiles.
