Russia's leading business daily, Kommersant, reports that Russia is planning to set up a naval base in Syria in a move that will dramatically increase Moscow's presence in West Asia and shift the balance of forces in the region.According to the report, Russia has started dredging the Syrian port of Tartus, where the Russian Navy has had a maintenance station since Soviet times. The article quotes Economic Counsellor at the Russian embassy in Syria, Vladimir Zimin.
The paper also said Russia was also widening the port of Latakia, where a new berth for the Russian Navy will be built.
Full article: Russia to build naval base in Syria
