Russia organizes major military exercise in the Mediterranean

The Russian defence minister announced on Thursday that he would organize a major naval exercise in the Mediterranean between September 1 and 8, TASS informs. The movement coincides with growing tensions between Moscow and Washington about Syria, Moscow Times writes.

Russia has actively extended its naval forces in the Mediterranean this month. A Russian newspaper wrote that it is Moscow’s largest naval presence since entering the war with Syria in 2015.

According to the Defence Ministry, 25 warships and submarines and 30 airplanes, including strategic fighter planes and bombers will participate in antiaircraft and antisubmarine drills.

“In the interest to secure naval transports and airplane flights, according to international laws, areas where drills are held will be declared dangerous for navigation and flights,” the Russian defence minister said, according to TASS.

The drills come in the context of growing tension between Russia and the West about Idlib are in northern Syria, controlled by rebels. According to sources, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad is preparing and offensive with troops there.

The Russian press wrote on Tuesday that Moscow had strengthened its military presence around Syria, fearing Western air attacks against Bashar al-Assad’s forces, after the rebels’ provocation. Two frigates armed with Kalibr cruising missiles, able to hit ground targets or ships, were sent to the Mediterranean Sea on Saturday, according to the daily Kommersant.

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