Russian Reportedly Sending Syria Defensive Military Equipment

Fulfilling contract signed before 2011

MOSCOW, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- The Russian military is fulfilling weapons contracts signed with the Syrian government before the onset of civil war, an arms export official.

Russia has sided with Syrian President Bashar Assad in the international debate over the best way to resolve that crisis that erupted in March 2011. The Kremlin said foreign military intervention in Syria would likely make things worse.

Russia counts Syria as one of its main arms customers. Viktor Komardin, deputy head of state arms export corporation Rosoboronexport, said Syria was receiving defense equipment outlined in contracts signed prior to 2011.