Russia sends new cruise missile ship to Syria, warns against U.S. intervention

Special to WorldTribune.com

Moscow has deployed a new patrol ship armed with long-range cruise missiles to Syria.

Russian patrol ship Zelyony Dol.
Russian patrol ship Zelyony Dol.

The Zelyony Dol, which had just joined the Russian Navy’s Black Sea fleet in December, departed for the Mediterranean on Feb. 13, the navy said in a statement.

“The goals of the ship are not public but considering that it is carrying long-range cruise missiles, its participation in the military operation (in Syria) should not be excluded,” a source told RIA Novosti.

Built in 2015, the Zelyony Dol last week took part in a major naval landing exercise which focused on “holding the coast” while landing troops. The ship is armed with Kalibr long-range cruise missiles.

Meanwhile, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Feb. 13 warned against any ground intervention in Syria by the U.S.-led coalition.

“Don’t threaten anyone with a ground operation,” Medvedev said in Munich in a speech that lashed out at the West and talked of a “new Cold War.”