Yesterday I spotted, but did not note a report that the Russian navy aircraft cruiser, Moskva, would deploy to the Mediterranean, along with two amphibious ships. The Moskva was already in the Atlantic. One suggestion was that the ships were suitable for a national evacuation operation (NEO). I cannot quickly find that report.

So a few days ago:
Russia has four warships in the eastern Mediterranean that for now are keeping "a respectful distance" from the five US Navy destroyers there, Dempsey revealed.
Link:http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...strikes-senate

Russian news agencies on Thursday quoted Sergei Ivanov as saying that Russia has been boosting its naval presence in the Mediterranean "primarily" in order to organize a possible evacuation of Russians from Syria.
Link:http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...a-g20-showdown