Alwaght- After Russian Air Force in Syria conducted devastating airstrikes on ISIS terrorists, the head of Russian State Duma's defense committee announced the possibility of the participation of Russian navy in the war-torn country.
Vladimir Komoyedov, former Black Sea Fleet commander, said that 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, state-run Sputnik reported.
Earlier, the upper chamber of the Russian parliament unanimously gave President Vladimir Putin the green light to use the nation’s military in Syria to fight terrorism.
Russia has conducted its first airstrike against ISIS in Syria on September 30 as it defied western criticism for joining the fight against terrorism alongside the Syrian government. 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 ISIS to deliver armaments as well as military and technical equipment.
