Source: The Bulletin

Jerusalem - Contrary assurances received during Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's recent visit to Moscow, Russia has not backed away from its plans to station S-300 anti-aircraft missiles on Syrian soil.

These anti-aircraft missiles could pose a significant obstacle to potential future Israeli Air Force activity in Syrian airspace.

Western intelligence sources note the Syrians requested the stationing of the Russian missiles on its territory during talks held in Moscow between the Russian Defense Ministry and high-ranking Syrian officials.

The Russians would operate the missiles, and they intend to station the missiles on Syrian soil as part of the defense alliance to protect Russia's strategic assets in Syria.

Syria's two naval bases, in Tartus and Latakia, are of prime strategic importance to Russia. They are being converted in order to host the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, which is comprised of approximately 50 warships and 80 warplanes.

The Washington Post reported in September that construction on the two Syrian naval bases has been accelerated. In Tartus, Russian teams are engaged in expanding the existing port and deepening it; the Russians are building floating piers in Latakia that will serve the Russian vessels that will be docked there.

The acceleration of the work on the Syrian ports stems from the Russian concerns that closer ties between Ukraine and the West should endanger the Russian Black Sea Fleet's main port in Sevastopol, Ukraine. The current agreement between Russia and Ukraine expires in 2017. The pro-Western Ukrainian President Viktor Lukashenko has demanded that Russia end the contract earlier and has pressured the Russians by raising the rent.

It should be noted that the relocation of the Russian Black Sea Fleet to Syria and a Russian military presence on Syrian soil will necessarily have an impact on Israel's ability to operate near he Syria.