Russia continues to position itself to potentially launch airstrikes in Syria — but their movements suggest that their targets are something other than ISIS, according to U.S. officials.
Russia did not move significantly more weapons into Syria over the weekend, two U.S. officials told CNN, but the country did make several moves to put itself in the position to launch airstrikes.
Though Russia has also spoken out against ISIS, which the U.S. is already fighting in Syria, the Russian military movements indicate that combating the terror group may not be Moscow’s primary objective for joining the fight in the country.
Defense officials have previously told CNN that the U.S. believes Moscow may fear that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may not be able to retain power in the war-torn country and wants to be in position to be able to support a proxy should the situation collapse.
Russia is also a close ally of Assad and may want to bolster him, while the U.S. has repeatedly called for him to go in order to resolve the five-year civil war.
U.S. intelligence has observed the possible staging of multiple rocket launch systems at Russian ports, which could be loaded onto ships bound for Syria. It has also observed a small number of Russian long-range bombers being moved into airfields in the southern part of Russia, which could give them a long-range heavy bomber capability in Syria, according to the officials.
Syria and Russia have also established a coordination center in the Hamah province, though its purpose remains unclear, officials said.
Moscow is also sending drones in the southwest Idlib, Hamah and Latakia areas to gather reconnaissance and intelligence — though none of those regions are near ISIS positions.
The new developments continue a pattern of strategic buildup for Russia in and near Syria. In recent weeks, Russia has moved aircraft, tanks, artillery and armored vehicles into Syria, though its objective in the region remains murky.
The intelligence on Russia’s actions make clear that the U.S. is dedicating a substantial amount of satellite and eavesdropping capabilities to monitoring the developments around the clock.
The U.S. believes Russia could begin airstrikes at any time.
President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meeting on Monday in New York, during which the U.S. is expecting to receive clarifications about Russian intentions.
Both leaders addressed the assembly on Monday and spoke about the conflict in Syria.