Middle East

Russia rushes to Syria's defense, claims military base open to check for chemical weapons

Top Russian officials -- including President Vladimir Putin -- blasted critics of the Syrian regime Tuesday over the apparent chemical attack, suggesting that the resulting U.S. missile strike was based on lies and exaggerations.

"It reminds me of the events in 2003 when U.S. envoys to the Security Council were demonstrating what they said were chemical weapons found in Iraq," Putin told reporters. "We have seen it all already."

He even said Russia received intelligence that opponents of Syria had planned what he called "provocations" using chemical weapons -- which the world would blame on the Syrian government.