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Russian Army Units Prepare for War in Syria?
Strat Risks
June 7, 2012
NL (Roughly translated from Russian news service)
Russian Defense Ministry launched an intensive training units for operations abroad, including in Syria. Preparation for combat operations in this country, may lead Pskov 76th air assault division of Airborne, the 15th Brigade combined arms in Samara, as well as special units staffed by the Chechens, who had previously served in the GRU spetsbatalonah “West” and “East” writes, “Nezavisimaya Gazeta”, citing anonymous sources in the military.
Pskov Airborne Division – one of the most combat-ready connections in the Russian army, the newspaper notes. Its officers, NCOs and men participated in the peacekeeping operation in Kosovo in 1999-2001, in both Chechen wars in 1994-1996 and 1999-2007, and in the war with Georgia in August 2008.
In 2004, the first division in the Russian army was fully contracted. As for the Chechen soldier, then in 2006-2007 they were initiated by then-Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov has successfully carried out peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, reminiscent of “NG”.They distinguished themselves in combat operations against Georgia in South Ossetia in August 2008. In addition, preparation for possible action in the Syrian special forces have already passed from the separate brigade of marines Black Sea Fleet.
They were present at the patrol ship “Smetliviy”, which in May, before returning from almost two months of the watch in the Mediterranean Sea, visited the Syrian port of Tartus, where the point of logistics of the Russian Navy. “Smetliviy” returned to Sevastopol on May 31, as reported Ukrainian news agency UNIAN.At the same time Head of Information Management BSF captain Vyacheslav Trukhachev agency said that security is “Sharpness” with the passage of the Straits, and docked in the Syrian port provided a group of anti-terror – a separate brigade of marines BSF.
A day earlier from the Mediterranean returned to the Russian tanker “Iman” which in Tartus fueling ships of the Russian Navy. In March, nearly burst into an international scandal, when the Syrian opposition in the Arab media rumors spread that the tanker are special forces and attack aircraft the Marine Corps.Europe, even Russia has warned against landing in Syria of its military.
In rebuttal made by the press service of the Ministry of Defense, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. They explained that “Iman” performs only the task of logistics and staffed by civilian personnel on board is only a guard unit. But Lavrov added that such “fairy tale” The Syrian opposition – is a clear provocation aimed at disrupting peace in the country to plan a special envoy of UN / LAS General Kofi Annan.
“Kosovo precedent” and “brilliant initiative” Trust Dmitry Medvedev The representatives of the Russian leadership assured that no troops to send to Syria is not planned. But amid the worsening situation around the country began to fear the Russian press that Russia and the West will be on the verge of armed conflict – as was the case in Kosovo. themselves diplomats, who are still afraid, “the Libyan scenario” in Syria is increasingly remembered the “Kosovo precedent” 1999, when NATO began bombing Yugoslavia without UN authorization.
This provoked an acute crisis between Russia and the West, which nearly resulted in a direct conflict, when Russian paratroopers occupied the Pristina airport. Now, after 13 years in the West once again talked about the possibility of military operation, bypassing the United Nations, where Russia and China have veto power As permanent members of the Security Council, will block any resolution with this scenario. to the participation of Russian troops outside the country, including in Syria, in addition to the UN resolution, you need a political solution to the Russian leadership.
Last week, Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Bordyuzha said that part of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces in dealing with the Syrian conflict, “it is theoretically possible.” However, he stressed that the military in Syria will fall into this hell, because they are fighting with heavy weapons and any interference with the goals of peacekeeping would mean keeping active hostilities. “In Syria, apparently, you need to carry out an operation to enforce peace, first of all militias – said Bordyuzha. – That is, those who are trying to solve political problems by force of arms, not in the constitution of the state.” Therefore, he concluded that the initiative to send CSTO forces in Syria – “bright only for politicians.”