MOSCOW, June 28 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s embassy in Damascus, as well as its naval base in the port of Tartus, are continuing to perform regular operations, though “in very stressful and unsafe conditions,” Russia’s foreign minister said Friday.
He dispelled rumors that that the facilities were to be shuttered due to the ongoing Syrian civil war, denouncing such reports as “speculation and provocation.”
Regarding the naval base, which is for Russia is a last-remaining military foothold beyond the former Soviet Union, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said “there are no plans to evacuate this facility, as well as its staff.”
In February, the minister said the base, used for the maintenance and resupplying of Russian warships in the Mediterranean, had a staff of “several dozen.” Only civilians currently work at the facility, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Thursday.
