Russia is deploying the largest naval force since the Cold War!

OSLO, Norway (PNN) - October 19, 2016 - In the latest escalation involving Syria, the Russian aircraft carrier Kuznetsov is now sailing past Norway on its way to Syria, where it is expected to arrive in just under two weeks. As part of the carrier naval group, Russia also deployed an escort of seven other Russian ships, which we dubbed the "most powerful Russian naval task force to sail in northern Europe since 2014" according to Russia's Nezavisimaya Gazeta daily reports.

It turns out it was even bigger, because according to an unnamed NATO diplomat, Russia is "deploying all of the Northern fleet and much of the Baltic fleet in the largest surface deployment since the end of the Cold War."

"This is not a friendly port call. In two weeks, we will see a crescendo of air attacks on Aleppo as part of Russia's strategy to declare victory there," the diplomat supposedly said.

An intensified air campaign in eastern Aleppo, where 275,000 people are trapped, would further worsen ties between Moscow and the West, according to the unnamed diplomat who reportedly added, "With this assault, it should be enough to allow a Russian exit strategy if Moscow believes (Syrian President Bashar al) Assad is now stable enough to survive."

Photos of the vessels have been released by the Norwegian military. A Norwegian newspaper quoted the head of the Norwegian military intelligence service saying the ships involved "will probably play a role in the deciding the battle for Aleppo."