Russia deploys advanced S-400 air missile system to Crimea - agencies

Amphibious vehicles drive in formation past the guided missile destroyer Smetlivy during the Navy Day celebrations in Sevastopol, Crimea, July 31, 2016. REUTERS/Pavel Rebrov

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has deployed its advanced S-400 air defence missile system to annexed Crimea, Russian news agencies reported on Friday, citing a statement from the Russian Defence Ministry.

The announcement comes two days after President Vladimir Putin promised to take counter-measures after what he said were clashes between Russian forces and Ukrainian saboteurs in northern Crimea.

Ukraine denies the clashes took place. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

(Reporting by Polina Devitt; Writing by Maria Tsvetkova; Editing by Andrew Osborn)