Royal Navy is escorting Russian ‘ship of shame’ on its way home from Syria, says Michael Fallon
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Version 0 of 1. Russia’s only aircraft carrier is currently being escorted through British waters after being utilised for the first time in last month’s massive offensive on the Syrian city of Aleppo, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said. “We will keep a close eye on the Admiral Kuznetsov as it skulks back to Russia,” Mr Fallon said in a statement on Wednesday, calling the vessel a “ship of shame whose mission has only extended the suffering of the Syrian people.” Although it was a part of the Soviet Navy in the 1980s, the Kuznetsov was deployed for the first time to assist Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in the huge final assault on rebel-held East Aleppo at the end of last year. During its short deployment an Su-33 and an MiG-29 fighter jet were lost, both of which crashed while trying to land after sorties due to problems with the carrier’s landing system. On Wednesday the UK sent Typhoon jets and a frigate to accompany the Admiral Kuznetsov and a few other Russian warships past the cliffs of Dover and up the east coast of the country on its way to the North Sea, and eventually Severomorsk. The last opposition enclaves of Aleppo fell to Syrian army troops and Shia militias after ferocious bombing, a five-month-long siege, and more than four years of ferocious fighting in all that reduced one half of the city to ruins. Aleppo was the last major urban rebel stronghold in Syria. Its recapture has significantly strengthened Mr Assad’s position in the almost six-year-long war. As part of a shaky ceasefire deal announced on December 29, Russia’s military said it would scale back its deployment to Syria, beginning with the Kuznetsov. However, Moscow and Damascus struck a deal last week that gives Russia long-term use of naval and air bases in the country. Many observers have pointed out that despite the expected military withdrawal, Russia's revitalised influence in the region is not likely to wane. |