Syria conflict: Russia 'to continue Assad military aid'
Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged continued military support for Syria's Bashar al-Assad despite growing concerns over Moscow's role in the war.
Mr Putin urged other countries to join Russia in sending "military-technical assistance".
He said the influx refugees to Europe would have been "even bigger" without Russian support for Syria's government.
The US and its Western allies oppose President Assad, and say that backing him risks prolonging the conflict.
But Moscow has been a key ally of Mr Assad during the bloody civil war, which began in 2011.
It says military equipment is being sent to Syria to help the government combat the so-called Islamic State.
President Putin said on Tuesday: "We support the government of Syria… in countering the terrorist aggression.
"We provide and will continue to provide it with the necessary military technical assistance. And we urge other countries to join us."
Speaking at defence summit in Tajikistan, Mr Putin also said the situation in Syria would have been "worse than in Libya" had Russia not been supporting its leadership.
European countries have been struggling to cope with thousands of people arriving at their borders after fleeing the conflict.
President Putin's comments come after the US expressed concern at Russia's recent movements near Syria's coastal city of Latakia.
Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said on Monday that a steady flow of people and equipment suggested that Moscow was planning to establish a "forward air operating base" at an airport there.