Photo: militaryphotos.net

Russia is sending a fleet of warships to the Mediterranean because of the the escalating crisis in Syria said the Russian Ministry of Defense Tuesday. The warships, part of the Baltic Fleet, will replace the Black Sea Fleet. The statement did not mention Syria, but military sources previously told the Interfax news agency that Russian naval ships could be used to evacuate the thousands of Russian citizens still in Syria in case the situation in Syria worsens. The same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned Russian citizens not to travel to Syria. Two Russians working in Syria were kidnapped on Monday.