Russia May Use Navy to Blockade Syrian Coast
Russia may use its Black Sea Fleet to blockade the Syrian coast according to
the force's former commander and current Duma defense committee head.
© Sputnik/ Sergey Petrosyan 10:33 05.10.2015(updated 10:56 05.10.2015)
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151005/1028025195/russia-may-use-navy-for-syria-coast-blocade.html

Russia's Black Sea Fleet may be used in Syria to blockade the Syrian
coastline and deliver armaments, as well as possibly deliver artillery
strikes, the head of Russian State Duma's defense committee and former Black
Sea Fleet commander Vladimir Komoyedov said.

Russia began precision strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria on
September 30. According to Russia's Defense Ministry, Russia's air force has
in the past two days destroyed terrorist headquarters, an explosives
factory, a training camp and other targets. The targets are chosen based on
Russian and Syrian reconnaissance data.

"Regarding the large-scale use of the Black Sea Fleet in this operation, I
don't think it will happen, but in terms of a coastal blockade, I think that
it's quite [possible]. The delivery of artillery strikes hasn't been
excluded; the ships are ready for this, but there is no point in it for now.
The terrorists are in deep, where the artillery cannot reach," Komoyedov
said.

Komoyedov added that the size of the naval grouping used in the operation
will depend on the intensity of the fighting. He noted that currently, the
navy's Mediterranean flotilla is currently sufficient for actions in the
given area.

Komoyedov also said that auxiliary vessels will certainly be used in the
operation against ISIL to deliver armaments as well as military and
technical equipment.