Vladimir Putin orders Russian warships onto 24/7 combat alert in Middle East
VLADIMIR Putin has ordered Russian warships onto 24/7 combat alert in the Mediterranean amid fears of war in Syria.
By Henry Holloway
DailyStar.co.uk
16th May 2018
Russia’s president announced vessels armed with cruise missiles will be “constantly deployed” in the Middle East.
He said the warships and missiles will be on permanent standby due to the threat of terrorism in Syria.
And his move comes amid heightened tensions over the Middle East, with Syria, Israel, Iran, the US and Russia all sitting on a knife-edge.
US President Donald Trump’s axing of the Iran deal, the ongoing war in Syria, and the threat of terrorist has plunged the Middle East into chaos.
Putin also added Russia will continue to expand its navy, including adding nuclear capable weapons to its ships and submarines.
Speaking at a military meeting, Putin said: “Due to the remaining threat of incursions by international terrorists in Syria, our ships carrying Kalibr cruise missiles will be constantly deployed in the Mediterranean Sea.”
Kalibr missiles are anti-ship and land attack missiles which fly at supersonic speeds and can be armed with nuclear warheads.
Russia’s warships and submarines are packed with the weapons, known to NATO as Sizzlers.
They have a range of 1,600 miles, can fly at speeds of nearly 2,300mph and have been used by Russia to smash targets in Syria.
Russia has a large naval presence off Syria as Putin offers aide to his pal Bashar al-Assad.
Putin’s forces intervened during the Syrian Civil War and are now said to running the “air war” against the rebels.
Tartus on the Syrian coast is Russia’s main naval base in the Med, capable of support 11 vessels.
And last week, a US aircraft carrier was chased by a Russian frigate in the Med as tensions rage.
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