The Russian navy created a de facto aerial defense zone to protect its Syria bases

A large deployment of ships that Russia sent to the eastern Mediterranean under the guise of naval exercises at the end of September are actually being used to provide an aerial defense zone for Russian jets, Sam LaGrone reports for USNI News.

The "Black Sea-based Russian surface action group" in the eastern Mediterranean are based along Syria's coast by the Bassel al-Assad Airport and the Tartous naval facility, which is home to a Russian port.

The ships are intended to provide aerial defense for the Russian aircraft that Moscow is currently using to carry out airstrikes against Syrian rebels throughout the country.

Although not directly stated by official channels, the aerial defense zone is likely intended as defense against hypothetical US or coalition airstrikes against the Russian airstrips.

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