Russia sends warship with 'special cargo' to Syria

[IsItJustMe]

Source: AFP

Russian warship carrying "special cargo" will be dispatched toward Syria, a navy source said on Friday, as the Kremlin beefs up its presence in the region ahead of possible US strikes against the Damascus regime.

The large landing ship Nikolai Filchenkov will on Friday leave the Ukrainian port city of Sevastopol for the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, from where it will head to Syria's coast, the Interfax news agency quoted a source from the Saint Petersburg-based central naval command as saying......


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/russia-sends-warship-special-cargo-syria-102835383.html

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Looks like the old Cold War is heating back up. This is getting scary.

[dkf]

1. What would we say if the Russians decided to bomb Israel for mistreatment of Palestinians?

Why do we expect the Russians to stand aside when we would be there for Israel?

[HooptieWagon]

4. Russia wont bomb Israel...

..unless Israel enters the war. Russia's concern is defending Syria, not ME expansion.

[dkf]

5. Of course they wouldn't.

But we wouldn't let that go is my point. We want to mess with their ally, we have to expect they won't be happy.

[HooptieWagon]

7. Of course if Israel is attacked, we will come to their defense.

But I seriously doubt it would be the Russians that would attack them.
Almost certainly it would be a desparate Assad. Although Israel and Syria have been at peace since 1973, if things start looking bad for Assad he might attack Israel hoping to drag his ally Iran into the fight. Israel is lobbying for the US to go to war in Syria, clearing the way for them to strike Iran without having to worry about Syria.

[EX500rider]

10. Except the Israeli Air Force would wipe the floor with the Russian Air Force..

.....although they could go the cruise missile route....but even those would face some loses to the modern Israeli air defenses.

[geek tragedy]

13. "I can see Moscow glowing from here."

The Israelis aren't gentle with their enemies.

[NickB79]

15. And the Russians are?

No one within 50 miles of Israel would live long enough to see Moscow glowing, as they'd all be radioactive dust themselves.

[geek tragedy]

16. Which is why nuclear powers don't bomb each other, nt

[Nye Bevan]

17. That would work out very well for Russia, I am sure.

Putin has many faults but I don't think he's insane enough to pull a stunt like that.

[dipsydoodle]

2. They're also in the area to cover the need for evacuation.

.

[HooptieWagon]

3. "Special cargo" is likely air defense system.

Syria has been wanting Russia's S300 system, the sale had been on hold by Russia. Russia recently indicated they would release the hold, might sell the S400 updated system even.

[big_dog]

9. $$$$ S-300 PMU Missile System with crew

win or lose Putin will make money

[Igel]

11. Interestingly, they just said the Iranian S-300 system that was ordered

had been scrapped.

Perhaps it had just been repurposed?

[HooptieWagon]

12. As far as I understand...

The S300 system had to be" tailored" to the client country. I'm not sure what that involves, but supposedly thats why it hadn't been delivered. Russia has developed an updated system, the S400, which is supposed to have greater range. I don't know what other improvements.

I think its safe to say Russia is sending "a" air defense system to Syria. Which one, who knows?
I suspect the S400, since it can be live tested.

[daleo]

18. That was my first thought as well.

It seems like their wouldn't be much time for training, though.

[Barack_America]

6. Got to get those last minute arms shipments out.

Get that money made.

[KurtNYC]

8. Assad's birthday is coming up

I don't want to spoil anything but let's just say 'everyone should come to the conference room around 4pm'

Shhhh...don't tell Bashar.

[geek tragedy]

14. Maybe it's Ed Snowden, nt