MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Moscow appreciates Athens’ position on flights of Russian aircraft with humanitarian aid to Syria through the Greek airspace, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Saturday.

“We appreciate Greek partners’ adherence to principles and respect for our bilateral relations… Position of Athens shows their deep understanding of the difficult humanitarian situation in Syria,” Zakharova told journalists.

The Greek authorities had refused to prohibit Russian support aircraft from flying into Syria despite the United States’ request.

Sputnik

Russian specialists sent to Syria to teach armed forces to operate Russian weapons.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian military specialists are currently deployed in Syria in order to help Syrians master Russian military equipment that is being delivered, Russian Foreign Minister spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday.

In recent days, several media outlets published images, found on social media accounts, showing Russians troops in locations across Syria.

“I can confirm and reiterate that there are Russian military specialists in Syria who are helping master the equipment being delivered.”

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russia provides “considerable” support to Syria in terms of equipment, training and weaponry.

Syria has been engulfed in a civil war since 2011. The conflict is essentially a struggle between the Syrian government and the so-called moderate opposition, which aims to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad, but it has been made more complicated by extremist groups, such as the Islamic State, operating in the country.

Sputnik

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