Tri-Service
Watch: Russia's Aircraft Carrier Arrives Off Syria's Coast
Russia's only aircraft carrier has arrived off the coast of Syria.
In a Russian Ministry of Defence video, the Admiral Kuznetsov is seen carrying out flight drills as it leads a fleet of eight warships.
The group consists of the Pyotr Velikiy battlecruiser, the Severomorsk anti-submarine ship, the Vice-Admiral Kulakov destroyer and other support vessels, as well as the Kuznetsov.
Mig-29K and Sukhoi Su-33 can be seen with the carrier alongside Kamov Ka-52K and Ka-27 helicopters.
Experts believe the combination of the carrier fleet and the Russian forces already in Syria means Russia is preparing to increase its bombing campaign on rebels in Syria, as it continues to support President Assad.
It's thought President Putin may take advantage of the US election period to strike decisive blows in Syria despite the Russians saying it was "absurd" that the carrier would be used to bomb Aleppo.
During this time the current US administration will have little power to act.
Admiral Kuznetsov is the flagship of the Russian Navy which was originally commissioned by the Soviet Navy in 1990.
It can carry dozens of fighter bombers and helicopters.
Last month it was shadowed by the Royal Navy travelled through the English Channel as it made its way to Syria.
It had intended to stop for refuelling in Spain but was forced to abandon that plan after the Spanish government came under heavy pressure from its NATO allies to stop the carrier from stopping there.
The Defence Secretary Michael Fallon warned that Britain would be "extremely concerned" if a NATO member assisted a carrier group that ended up bombing Syrian civilians.
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