Russia Escalates Its Military Build-Up In Syria

Reuters: Russia positioning tanks at Syria airfield: U.S. officials

Russia has positioned about a half dozen tanks at a Syrian airfield at the center of a military buildup, two U.S. officials said on Tuesday, adding the intentions of Moscow's latest deployment of heavy military equipment to Syria was unclear.

One of the U.S. officials said seven Russian T-90 tanks were observed at the airfield near Latakia, a stronghold of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The two U.S. officials said Russia had also positioned artillery, which they said appeared to be arrayed defensively to protect Russian personnel stationed there.

Reuters has previously reported that Russia had deployed about 200 naval infantry forces to the airfield. Moscow has also been sending about two cargo flights a day to the airfield over the past week, U.S. officials say.

More News On Russia Escalating Its Military Build-Up In Syria

Russia shipping tanks into Syria, in ‘first clear sign of offensive weapons’ -- FOX News
Russia deploys tanks to Syrian airbase amid tension with US -- Irish Times
US: Russia Positions Tanks At Syrian Airfield -- SKY News
Russian has positioned six T-90 tanks and artillery at a Syrian airfield controlled by Assad, US claims -- Daily Mail
Syria group: Russia expanding major Syrian airport -- AP
Russia building airstrip at airport in Syria's Latakia, says monitor -- Deutsche Welle
Syria: Russia expands airport in Latakia -- Al Bawaba
Syrian Activists Say Russia Expanding Airport In Latakia -- Radio Free Europe
Russia's Expanding Military Presence in Syria -- US News and World Report/Al-Monitor
Russia Defies U.S. Efforts, Flies Troops and Equipment to Syria -- Washington Free Beacon
Russia’s Foreign Minister Says Moscow Will Continue Sending Military Supplies to Syria -- Time
Why is Russia increasing its presence in Syria? -- Reena Flores, CBS News
Putin Said to Explore Sidelining Assad Even as He Arms Him -- Henry Meyer and Donna Abu-Nasr, Bloomberg