172: Chapter 172 The Russian Bear Country May Want to Purchase Weapons and Equipment

Lieutenant General Sergei, a high-ranking official in the Russian Armed Forces, was currently feeling overwhelmed. Because Russia was fully committed to a war, the consumption of existing weapons and equipment had increased sharply, and there was an urgent need to replenish the weapons and equipment for the troops involved in the fighting.

However, even if the existing military enterprises produced weapons and equipment at full capacity, they could not meet the consumption of the frontline troops. They had no choice but to continuously consume stored weapons and ammunition, dragging out weapons and ammunition from decades ago for use.

Although this could reduce the storage and maintenance costs of the mothballed weapons, these weapons and equipment were already outdated. Putting them into war could not achieve the intended combat objectives, leaving the Russian army in a passive position.

As the person in charge of weapons and equipment procurement for the Russian military, Lieutenant General Sergei had been under great pressure in recent months and could only try his best to find ways to increase the output of military enterprises. He also paid attention to the battles in Syria. The Syrian army had launched fierce offensives against the Opposition Armed Forces within the country and had achieved good results.

He was very curious about the source of the Syrian army's weapons and equipment. Previously, many of the Syrian army's weapons and equipment were obtained through aid from Russia and Iran, but now military aid to the Syrian army had been significantly reduced. He had not expected that the Syrian army would still have so many weapons and equipment to put into battle.

In particular, the Syrian army was equipped with a large number of drones, armored vehicles, and air defense missiles, which baffled Lieutenant General Sergei. These weapons and equipment were definitely not provided by Russia or Iran. Where exactly did Syria obtain these weapons and equipment?

Lieutenant General Sergei recalled the previous matter of Syria leasing oil and natural gas from Russia. He had attended many related meetings and couldn't help but speculate: Could it be that Syria had sold the leased oil and natural gas in exchange for weapons and equipment?

He immediately contacted Deputy Minister of Energy Vyacheslav and asked, "Deputy Minister Vyacheslav, do you know what Syria is using our oil and natural gas for after leasing them?"

Vyacheslav shook his head and said, "I am not quite sure. Anyway, Syria can help us consume the stored oil and natural gas; I don't care what they use it for."

Lieutenant General Sergei asked, "Could Syria be using it to purchase weapons? Can you ask them about the whereabouts of the oil and natural gas? As the supplier of the oil and natural gas, we should have the right to know."

Vyacheslav thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I will ask Major General Zaha. It just so happens that we can immediately deliver 100 million barrels of oil and 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Syria."

Lieutenant General Sergei said, "After you clarify the situation, let me know in time."

After agreeing, Vyacheslav directly contacted Major General Zaha.

"Major General Zaha, the 100 million barrels of oil and 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas leased by Syria are ready. You can arrange to come and transport them away," Vyacheslav said straightforwardly.

After completing the second round of offensives, Major General Zaha was considering when to launch the third round of offensives. The difficulty and combat intensity of the third round of offensives would increase sharply, and the Syrian army needed to make more adequate preparations. Furthermore, the number of troops deployed needed to be greater, and the weapons and equipment needed to be more sufficient.

As soon as Major General Zaha heard Vyacheslav's voice, he realized that another batch of oil and natural gas leased by Russia to Syria was ready for delivery. He quickly said, "Okay. After I confirm, I will contact you immediately."

Vyacheslav continued, "100 million barrels of oil and 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas are in four storage depots in Omsk, and 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas are stored in two storage depots in Oryol. You must arrange for transportation as soon as possible."

"No problem. I will have news soon," Major General Zaha affirmed. Anyway, there was no need for Syria to go and transport it; the arms dealers would go and transport it, so he didn't have to worry about transportation matters.

Vyacheslav suddenly asked, "What is Syria using the oil and natural gas leased from us for? Is it for purchasing weapons?"

Major General Zaha felt a bit strange and said, "When we were negotiating the oil and natural gas lease, there was no explicit requirement to state the destination of our use of the oil and natural gas, right?"

Vyacheslav explained, "We are just concerned. Is it convenient to tell us the final destination of the oil and natural gas?" Vyacheslav planned that if Major General Zaha did not tell him, he would directly delay the payment of the subsequent leased oil and natural gas.

Major General Zaha considered it. Many countries in the Persian Gulf region already knew about Syria's procurement of weapons and equipment, so there was no need to hide it anymore. He said, "We in Syria are using the leased oil and natural gas to purchase weapons and equipment."

Vyacheslav asked, "Can you tell us which country or arms dealer you are purchasing weapons and equipment from?"

Major General Zaha hesitated for a moment and said, "I need to contact the arms dealer. If they are willing to contact you, I will tell you then."

Vyacheslav did not force it further and said, "Alright. Give me news as soon as possible."

Major General Zaha stopped the deployment arrangements for the third round of offensives of the Syrian army and immediately contacted Li Yi.

"Major General Zaha, are you contacting me to purchase new weapons and ammunition?" Li Yi asked. He had also heard about the Syrian army launching an offensive against the Opposition Armed Forces.

Major General Zaha denied, "No, it is the oil and natural gas we leased from Russia. They can deliver 100 million barrels of oil and 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas immediately, and they need you to arrange for transportation."

"Is that so. Then arrange the transport for tomorrow evening. Notify Russia of the relevant requirements," Li Yi was a bit disappointed, but still decided immediately.

After all, Syria still had nearly 60 billion US dollars in procurement funds that had not been used. If Major General Zaha could be made to use it up as soon as possible, with the progress of the war in Syria, it could push Syria to find ways to lease more oil and natural gas.

Major General Zaha asked, "There is one more thing. Russia is asking about the destination of the oil and natural gas we leased. Can I disclose it to them? According to my judgment, Russia is very likely to want to purchase weapons and equipment."

Upon hearing this, Li Yi immediately became excited and said, "No problem. You can tell them. If Russia intends to purchase weapons and equipment, we can also sell them to them."

Russia was a big customer, possessing a lot of oil, natural gas, and various mineral resources, and now they also needed a large amount of weapons and equipment.

Major General Zaha said, "Then I will tell Russia, and I will have them contact you then."

Li Yi said, "Okay. Let Russia contact me directly."