Russian Marines to Syria?

Two Russian amphibious transport ships will embark to Russian naval base in Tartus, Syria,“ready to ensure security of Russian citizens and infrastructure of the Russian Navy logistics base,” according an unnamed Russian naval official in a report from the Interfax News Agency on June 18.
[2] The ships will travel with a complement of Russian marines originating from the Russian naval base in Sevastopol, Ukraine according to several press reports.

Map: From the Black Sea to Syria

Russian Intentions Unclear [3]

By Mark Adomanis
The announcement [4] of two Russian amphibious warships bound for Syria is strange. Not because the Russians are above meddling in a conflict zone or are committed to the principle of non-interference. But because deploying ships and marines represents an escalation in the Syrian conflict — an escalation the Russians have expressly avoided. On the same day news first broke about the deployment of Russian warships, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, totally in line with its previous position, announced that it was seeking the early resumption of the UN mission in Syria [5] . more [3]

Ship Characteristics [2]
From Combat Fleets of the World [6]

[2]
Ropucha-I-class (Project 775) tank landing ships [LST]
Builder: Stocznia Polnocna, Gdansk, Poland
158 BDK-64 Tsezar’ Kunikov more [2]

View Russian marines head to Syria [7] in a larger map