And that is why USA is fighting any possible Russian involvement in Syria tooth and nail - they don't need that conflict ending too soon.
An official confirmation to the info in OP:
Greece confirms US asked to close airspace to Syria-bound Russian aid flights http://www.rt.com/news/314616-greece-request-airspace-russia/Still...
A Russian buildup in Syria? The propaganda machine strikes againhttp://www.rt.com/op-edge/314640-syria-military-russian-media/Somebody wants the Saudis and their Arab neighbors to believe that Russia is intensifying its presence in Syria. That possibly explains a hysterical propaganda overload this weekend.
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Russian military personnel have always been in Syria. Moscow has a base there. Furthermore, Vladimir Putin has hardly hidden the fact that his government has fulfilled defense contracts with Damascus. That would require trainers on the ground.
So why did Russia’s involvement in Syria suddenly become such massive news? Is it because relations between the Kremlin and Saudi Arabia are rapidly improving? Or maybe it's down to Washington's fears that Moscow may decide to take out ISIS, unilaterally, or with European approval, freezing America out?
And the propaganda overload was so crudely-made and obvious, it should be embarrassing for those who foot the bill for it...
In the article above, the reporter is doing an admirable job of tracing the source of this week-end's hoax and how it got propagated through the Western MSM.
Also, from the President:
Putin: Early to speak of Russia’s readiness for military participation in fight against IShttp://tass.ru/en/world/818739Speaking on supporting Syria with armament, Putin said this concerns the contracts signed some five or seven years ago.
"We consider various possibilities, but now what you have mentioned [participation in military operations] is not yet on our agenda," Putin told reporters at the Eastern Economic Forum.
"We will hold consultations with our Syrian friends and the countries of the region," he said.
"Speaking that we are ready to do it today is premature, but we are providing Syria with a rather serious support and equipment and training forces with armament," Putin stressed.