Russia has sent a naval flotilla of seven warships led by an anti-submarine destroyer to its naval base at the Syrian port of Tartus, the Interfax news agency reported Tuesday.

AFP quoted the report as having said that the Admiral Chabanenko and three landing craft have left their home port of Severomorsk in the Arctic Circle on their way to the Mediterranean. They will be joined by the Russian patrol ship Yaroslav Mudry as well as an assistance vessel.