Moscow:
Russia has sent warships to the Mediterranean Sea in case it has to evacuate Russian citizens from Syria, Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed naval source as saying on Tuesday.
A group of two assault ships, a tanker and an escort vessel left a Baltic port on Monday, the source said.
"They are heading to the Syrian coast to assist in a possible evacuation of Russian citizens. Preparations for the deployment were carried out in a hurry and were heavily classified," the source was quoted as saying.
The report could not immediately be confirmed independently.
© Thomson Reuters 2012