MOSCOW – Russia’s ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Zasypkin, toldHezbollah’s Al Manar TV that any rockets that threaten Russian forces inSyria “will be downed as well as the sources of those rockets.” In March,Valery Gerasimov, chief of Russia’s General Staff, warned that “in theevent a threat arises to the lives of our servicemen, the Armed Forces ofRussia will take retaliatory measures against both missiles and thecarriers that use them.”

President Donald Trump said relations with Russia are worse than they haveever been and warned the country to “get ready” because a volley of USmissiles would soon be sent into Syria in response to a suspected chemicalweapons attack.

“Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get readyRussia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!,” Trump wroteon Twitter. “You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who killshis people and enjoys it!”

A strike that hits Russian assets in Syria — even if unintentionally –could result in a dangerous game of one-upmanship, potentially dragging theUS further into a conflict the president wants to leave. Russia hasstrengthened Syria’s air-defence capabilities, deploying S-400 missilebatteries after US strikes a year ago hit a Syrian base.

“The most important thing about a US strike is the potential for Russiancasualties as a result of any military activity there,” said Ayham Kamel,head of Middle East and North Africa research at Eurasia Group. “That iswhere there’s a risk of an escalatory cycle that would be much moremeaningful than attacking Assad’s forces.”