Russia's naval task force: Power play or just theatre?
A Russian aircraft carrier and other warships will soon head towards the UK.
The naval task force from Russia's Northern Fleet will proceed through the English Channel, down to Gibraltar, and through the Mediterranean Sea to join the Russian combat mission in war-torn Syria.
Why is Russia enhancing its naval presence off Syria now? The answer is part capability and part theatre.
Russia has already flexed its naval power during its operations in Syria, with warships firing cruise missiles at land targets from both the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean. But naval involvement has never been a critical factor. Most of the targets hit could equally have been struck with aircraft either based in Syria or flying from bases in Russia itself.
To a large extent Russia's naval activity has been a display - a demonstration of Moscow's capabilities and the fact that it retains ambitions to play an overseas role.
(continued, looks like they'll be passing close to here?)
