Click to see the full-size map
The Russian Navy’s task force has entered the Syrian port of Tartus where the Russian naval facility for military operations in the country is based, according to photos uploaded to Twitter by a local media activist (Syrianali_).
The task force was led by Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser and Petr Velikiy nuclear-powered battlecruiser arrived the area December 8 morning.
It’s important to note that Petr Velikiy entered the port:
Click to see the full-size image. Source: @Syrianali_/Twitter
In October and November, SF reported that Russia was going to turn its naval facility in Tartus into a fully-fledged permanent naval base that would be able to dock aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and other “first class” warships.
Pyotr Velikiy that has entered the port of Tartus today’s morning is one of the world’s largest and most heavily armed surface combatants. This means that the naval facility in Tartus was already extended, at least partly, according to the Russian Navy’s plans.
Click to see the full-size image
Meanwhile, preparation for signing of an agreement on a military base of the Russian Navy in the Syrian port city of Tartus is at the final stage Chairman of the Council of the Federation Committee on Defense and Security, Viktor Ozerov, said on Wednesday.
Together these facts allow to suggest that Russia will officially have a fully-fledged permanent naval base in Syria soon.
Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser near the port of Tartus:
Click to see the full-size image. Source: @Syrianali_/Twitter
Click to see the full-size image. Source: @Syrianali_/Twitter
Peter Veliky enters the port:
Click to see the full-size image. Source: @Syrianali_/Twitter
A general look at the Russian naval group near to Tartus:
Click to see the full-size image. Source: @Syrianali_/Twitter
Swell…
An interesting note of triumph, in that the GRU mission looking into the possibility of expanding Tartus into a full naval base (and the subsequent assassination of a GRU general) in 2011 seems to have been the event that prompted the CIA and MI6 to begin their planned operation to overthrow Assad. One of the AZE’s major objectives in the Syrian war is now dead.