Russia's Defense Minister Tuesday denied media reports that his country was carrying out work at Syrian ports with the goal of transferring its Black Sea Fleet to this Mideast country. Sergei Ivanov said new bases for the fleet would be built in Russia.
Kommersant, a Russian daily, reported Friday that Russia had started dredging works at a Syrian port where it maintains a supply point with a possible move to turning it into a full-fledged naval base. The Russian Defense Ministry categorically denied the report, adding the supply point in Tartus, 250 kilometers from Damascus, would be used in its present capacity in the future.
"This is an absolutely false report that has no foundation whatsoever," a ministry spokesman said.
