Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday redirected the question on the Russian military buildup in the Mediterranean Sea to the Defense Ministry.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 28th August, 2018) Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday redirected the question on the Russian military buildup in the Mediterranean Sea to the Defense Ministry.
"This is for the Defense Ministry, please," Peskov told reporters answering the question what was the reason for the strengthening of the Russian battle group in the Mediterranean.
Former commander of the Baltic Fleet Adm. Vladimir Valuev in his comments to Sputnik suggested that the buildup of the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean aimed to prevent a possible missile attack by the United States or NATO on the positions of the Syrian government forces.
"The deployment of such a major naval group is needed to prevent aggression against Syria, including to neutralize possible launches of Tomahawk sea-based cruise missiles on the Syrian infrastructure," Valuev said.
He stressed that the presence of the Russian warships in the Mediterranean corresponded to the country's maritime doctrine and sought to ensure Syria's security.
Earlier on Tuesday, Russian media reported that Moscow has started the deployment of the largest maritime battle group in the Mediterranean since the beginning of the Syrian conflict. The group includes 10 warships, with some of them being equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles, and two submarines.
