Russia sends naval destroyer Smetlivy to Syria: state newspaper

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia on Friday despatched the naval destroyer Smetlivy to Syria to join its battle group there for a few months, Russian government daily Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported. It said the heavily armed ship had left the Crimean port of Sevastopol on Friday to great fanfare. Ruptly, a video news agency financed by the Russian government, said the ship would first head for the Greek port of Piraeus to take part in an event connected with the Russian-Greek year of culture. Ruptly said the Smetlivy would depart Piraeus on Nov. 2. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Polina Devitt)