Russian Defense Ministry denies sending commandos to Syria December 25, 2012 - 09:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian Defense Ministry denied Monday, Dec 24, media rumors about sending commando units, air defense systems operators and military equipment to Syria, according to RIA Novosti. “No decisions to send commandos on board Russian warships [to Syria] have been made,” Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told reporters in Moscow. He added that Russia had not sent air defense systems operators to Syria either. “It’s all nonsense…and media speculation,” Antonov said. On Monday, large landing ships Azov and Nikolai Filchenkov from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet departed from Novorossiysk to the Syrian port of Tartus, where the Russian Navy keeps a small maintenance base. The ships are carrying naval infantry units for protection during the voyage. They are expected to pass through the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits on December 26-27 and join the Black Sea Fleet task force comprising the missile cruiser Moskva and the frigate Smetlivy in the Aegean Sea on December 28 before heading to Tartus. Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich confirmed on Monday that Russia has a contingency plan for evacuation of Russian citizens from Syria if necessary. The conflict between Bashar al-Assad regime and opposition forces in Syria has claimed the lives of over 30,000 people since March 2011, according to UN figures.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals  Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation.Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush.Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year.Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |
