Russia’s Defense Ministry officially announces that Russian soldiers are not fighting in Syria

Russia’s Defense Ministry has issued an official statement saying that Russian military personnel deployed in Syria are not participating in the armed conflict. The statement came as a response to Duma deputy Dmitry Gudkov’s formal query about Russia’s actions in Syria.

The letter is for internal government use only, and therefore cannot be published, but a Defense Ministry source revealed its contents to the news agency RBC. According to source, it says that Russian soldiers are in Syria in accordance with Russian-Syrian contracts, escorting weapons deliveries and ensuring that the base at Tartus port is operational.

The Defense Ministry has emphasized that there are no international limitations on military or technical cooperation with Damascus.

RBC

Various media sources have been reporting on Russia’s growing military presence in Syria since early September. According to sources speaking to The Financial Times, Russia will deploy 2,000 military personnel to its new air base in Latakia. According to other reports, there are currently 1,700 Russian military personnel at the Tartus base.
On September 18, a group of Russian soldiers reportedly refused to be deployed in Latakia, Syria, on secret orders. They told Gazeta.ru that they have appealed to the Military Prosecutor’s Office to dispute the deployment, and several have submitted letters of resignation from the army.
Russia has claimed that its military cooperation with Syria is legal and in line with contracts for weapons supplies. Russian authorities say there are no Russian soldiers participating in the fighting in Syria.
The US is wary of Russia’s potential involvement in the conflict in Syria on the side of Bashar al-Assad. The US has been supporting the Syrian opposition in its fight against Assad. ISIL, which has been recognized as a terrorist organization by Russia, is also involved in the conflict and controls large parts of Syria.
On September 16, Russia's military high command warned that Moscow may build an air force base in Syria. The Foreign Minister of Syria has warned that Damascus may ask Moscow to bring in Russian troops.