MOSCOW, April 13 (UPI) -- Russian warships will be deployed to continuously patrol off the Syrian coast in the Mediterranean, a Russian Defense Ministry source told RIA Novosti Friday.
In May, a Black Sea Fleet ship is to replace the Russian Kashin-class guided-missile destroyer Smetlivy now deployed near the Syrian coast, and several Russian warships were heading to the Mediterranean, the source said.
"A decision has been made to deploy Russian warships near the Syrian shores on a permanent basis," the source said.
The United States, Great Britain, Germany, France and other countries have deployed warships to the Mediterranean since the Syrian unrest began in February 2012.
The United Nations has said more than 9,000 people have been killed in the violence in Syria. The Syrian government said it would comply with a U.N.-backed peace plan.
The Russian military has repeatedly stressed the need for Russian warships to patrol the Mediterranean permanently, RIA Novosti said.
Russian ships on patrol in the Mediterranean include a surveillance ship and a tanker.
