Russian officials confirms Naval build-up in Mediterranean to 10 warships

The Russian Navy intends to build its presence in the Mediterranean Sea, obviously increasing the military support near Syria, up to 10 battleships, announced Admiral of the Fleet Viktor Chirkov.

The deployment of US and allied naval warships in the region appears be the reason the Russians are matching the mobilization by the deployment of Russian naval warships in the region.

“The task is crystal clear: to avoid a slightest threat to the security of the state. This is a general practice of all fleets around the world, to be there when a tension level increases. They are all going to act on operational command plan of the offshore maritime zone,” Chirkov told journalists on Friday. “Russia will be building up its Mediterranean fleet until it is deemed sufficient to perform the task set.” 

Currently there are seven warships deployed in the area: landing craft carriers ‘Aleksandr Shabalin’, ‘Admiral Nevelskoy’, ‘Peresvet’, ‘Novocherkassk’ and ‘Minsk’ from Russia’s Black and Baltic Sea Fleets, as well as the escort vessel ‘Neustrashimy’, and large anti-submarine ship ‘Admiral Panteleyev’.

The Russian destroyer Nastoichivy, which is the flagship of the Baltic fleet, is also expected to join the group in the region.

Russian Navy cruiser docked at Canada Place in Vancouver. photo Michael Whyte via wikimedia commons

Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov, who was unable to comment on specific reports, said on Thursday the Russian navy currently had a “pretty strong group” there.

“The Russian navy does not intend to take part directly or indirectly in a possible regional conflict,” he told the state Rossiya 24 broadcaster.

“Our navy vessels are a guarantee of stability, guarantee of peace, an attempt to hold back other forces ready to start military action in the region.”

Russia began a build-up back in 2012 as the Syrian conflict began to escalate as their Navy established a constant presence in the region. More recently in May all of the Russian battleships operating in the area were assigned to a single task force under special offshore maritime zone operation command.