Leaders in Rome fear Moscow's warships could be parked "two steps" from Italian shores, as Defense Minister Guido Crosetto put it.

Russia is reportedly moving military equipment from Syria’s Tartus naval base and Khmeimim air base to eastern Libya after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Russia appears to be scrambling to reinforce its bases in Libya as it faces being thrown out of Syria, its other foothold in the Mediterranean.

Russia is moving its troops and equipment in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime, with the Kremlin saying no decision has been taken about the Russian military status in the country as of yet.

Recent aircraft and ship movements suggest Russia has launched an air bridge between Syria and Al-Khadim airbase in Libya. They also hint that some military kit might then head further south towards Niger,

The rapid downfall of Syrian leader Bashar Assad has touched off a new round of delicate geopolitical maneuvering between Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Acting decisively now can undermine Russia’s and Iran’s positions in the Middle East and strengthen U.S. and European influence in the region.

Experts believe that Russia is moving defence materials from Belarus to Libya in a bid to increase its military presence.

The prime minister of Libya’s internationally recognized government said he wouldn’t accept that Russian weapons be moved from Syria to the divided North African nation, Sky News Arabia reported.

Russian military bases in Syria appear to be being packed up and evacuated. If Russia relocates to Libya, experts worry the shift could impact security in the Mediterranean and unbalance the frozen conflict there.