Russian Navy to Deploy Mediterranean Fleet

Local Editor

Russia has deployed a naval unit to the Mediterranean Sea, it said on Thursday, a move President Vladimir Putin said was to defend Russian security but which comes as Moscow faces off with the West over Syria.

In what is Russia's first permanent naval deployment in the Mediterranean since Soviet times, it has stationed 16 warships and three ship-based helicopters in the region, the chief of staff said.

Putin said the deployment was not "saber-rattling" and not meant as a threat to any nation.

Russia cooperates with NATO navies against piracy and its ships call at Western ports.

"This is a strategically important region and we have tasks to carry out there to provide for the national security of the Russian Federation," Putin said.
Russia also has a naval maintenance and supply facility in Syria.
The announcement comes days after Moscow said it planned to resume patrols by nuclear-armed submarines in the southern seas as part of a Putin's broader effort to revive Russia's military might.

Putin has stressed the importance of a strong military since returning to the presidency last May.
Speaking at a meeting with the top military brass, Putin said the sea is a "strategically important region, where we have interests connected with ensuring Russia's national security."

Military officials have said in the past that Russian navy ships in the Mediterranean could be used to evacuate equipment and personnel from the Syrian port of Tartus. Previous deployments have invariably included amphibious landing vessels, which could serve the purpose.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team