Russia has deployed entire Northern fleet to Syria for war operations.
Moscow is sending a blunt message to its American counterparts by dispatching a major aircraft carrier battlegroup to conduct operations in Syria, while another Russian spy ship appears to be surveying underwater internet cables in the region.
The Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, is currently conducting live-fire exercises with its escort vessels between Scotland and Norway and is expected to remain on-station off the coast of Syria for at least four months. It is leading a fleet of eight Russian ships.
The move comes as Russia and the United States continue to disagree over the fate of the Syrian conflict. It is speculated to be in anticipation of an expansion of the Syrian war. As U.S.-backed Iraqi forces look to liberate ISIS’ last major stronghold within Iraqi territory, many are rightly predicting the focus of the so-called war against ISIS will shift to Syria.
As observed by Kingston University historian and Russian navy observer, Dr. Alex Clarke:
“The war against Daesh will be moving into Syria, more focus will be on there – just as it is, there were will [sic] a large Russian led task force off its Mediterranean coast. This is going to shift the balance of power within the area, even more in favour of Assad; simply because it will complicate the task for other nations wishing to support their own allies within the conflict.”
Dr. Clarke also suggested such a move would represent a shift in the balance of world military power, particularly in light of the timing of joint Russian-Chinese exercises being conducted in the disputed South China Sea.
Although it is unclear whether the U.S. will be deterred by Russia’s military posturing in Syria (especially once the country has sworn in an all but certain President Clinton), Russia may have some hidden strategies in deploying these warships to the region. As reported by the New Zealand Herald:
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