Russia strengthens its military presence in Syria and announces an exercise of its aeronaval contingent in the Mediterranean

On 28 August 2019, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation announced that it was beefing up its naval deployment along the coasts of Syria, increasing its presence to 10 Russian ships plus 2 submarines.

On 30 August, Bosphorus Observer’s Twitter account announced that an enormous Russian container carrier–Sparta-3, had crossed the straits in the direction of the Syrian port of Tartus. It has only military material (see photo) on board.

The Russian Ministry of Defense further announced that from 1 September an important aero-naval exercise would kick off along the coasts of Syria. 25 ships and 30 planes would take part in the operation which would last one week. This exercise has nothing to do with the Vostok 2018 manoeuvres which will mobilize 300 000 men in the East of the Russian Federation with a view to warding off a potential attack by Nato.

These military operations are beginning just when Russia is openly accusing the United Kingdom, France and the United States of preparing a chemical attack under a false flag on Syrian soil with a view to justifying bombing Syria once again.