Posted on 12/05/2007 2:48:29 PM PST by WFgroundhog
DEBKAfile Reports: Russia launches first naval power build-up in the Mediterranean in response to the US about-face on Iran
December 5, 2007, 9:19 PM (GMT+02:00)
Admiral Kuznetsov - first Russian carrier posted to Mediterranean
President Vladimir Putin and defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov decided to send a sortie of six Russian warships, led by the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier and the Moskva guided missile cruiser, to the Mediterranean. This will be the first prolonged stay of a Russian carrier to the eastern Mediterranean vicinity of Israels shores and waters patrolled by the US Sixth Fleet. On its decks are 47 warplanes and 10 helicopters. The Moskva is the Russian Navys Black Sea flagship.
According to our Moscow sources, the Kremlin is determined not to be left lagging behind the new Bush administrations steps towards an accommodation with Iran, which were signaled by the US National Intelligence Estimate absolving Tehran of running a military nuclear program from 2003.
DEBKAfiles military sources report that the Russian fleet, which has already set out for its new mission from the North and Black Seas, will have the use of naval facilities at Syrias Tartous port. Its presence for several months will be a complication for the Israel navys operations opposite the Lebanese and Syrian coasts, especially if the Russians are joined at Tartous by Iranian submarines or warships.
The Kremlin also decided to send a sortie of ships to the northeastern Atlantic.
It’s Debka. Have a beer and relax.
Oh, and welcome to FR.
I can recommend a very good grout cleaner to take care of that buildup.
This was news a few months ago.
So what if it’s from Debka?
We already know they expanded the Laika/Tartus port.
Not far fetched at all to suspect Russia is sending some ships down for a visit and possibly a longer stay.
Debka is to politics and world events as the Enquirer is to entertainment and celebrities. Do you trust the Enquirer as well? Hell I don't even trust World Net Daily since it went off the deep end, let alone Debka.
The russian buildup or ours. I know we have been building with our carrier groups, but is it old news about the russian fleets?
Seems new to me!
http://www.russiatoday.ru/news/news/18065
Around the world in 71 days: Russian navy sets sail
The Russian fleet is once again sailing the world’s oceans. Eleven ships from the Northern fleet have set sail on a range of voyages that will cover much of the globe. During a meeting with Vladimir Putin, Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said the mission would last 71 days.
The Defence Minister, Anatoly Serdyukov, has briefed President Putin on the new initiative.
From Wednesday until February 3, 2008, the ships of the Northern Fleet are scheduled to go to the north-eastern Atlantic and also the Mediterranean Sea. The aim is to ensure a naval presence in the important regions of the world’s oceans and to provide conditions to navigate Russian ships safely, he said.
In all, four combat ships, seven vessels, 47 planes and 10 helicopters are taking part. The vessels will cover more than 12,000 miles in 71 days, Serdyukov added.
In the Black Sea, the ships will be joined by battle groups from the Baltic, Northern and Black Sea fleets. Together, they will conduct joint military exercises and tactical training.
The present Russian Navy was formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Back then, in 1991, its activities were severely hampered by a lack of funding.
Now the country has given the development of the navy equal priority with strategic nuclear forces.
Russia plans to replace 45% of its military inventory by 2015. It is hoped that this will serve to revive the proud traditions of a country whose navy was once a formidable force.
It’s ongoing. They returned to their Syrian port earlier this year.
On tactical foreign relations matters, I trust Debka far more than the more popular Greco-Roman identity sites (StratFor, for one) that are supporting the latest NIE and obfuscating the Iranian threat.
And following 1,000 yards astern was a submerged Seawolf Attack Sub.
Ping.
What is so hard to believe that a Russian flotilla is visiting Laika/Tartus? Obviously we await confirmation on this, but it’s not exactly a crazy, Enquirer-like claim.
Sounds a bit like Red Storm Rising.
Except it’s not fiction...
Russian navy to start sorties in Mediterranean
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1935368/posts
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