Russian deputy GRU commander on secret visit to Cairo

Lt. Gen. Vyacheslav Kondrashov, Dep. Commander of GRU, Russian military intelligence, has arrived in Cairo for secret talks with Egypt’s military leaders. He heads a large Russian delegation, the first high-ranking military visitors to Cairo in many years. DEBKAfile: The visit was arranged by Riyadh as a further step to distance Cairo from its dependence on the United States. Saudi intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan was in Moscow in the last week of July. He held talks with President Vladimir Putin on a large Russian arms transaction for Egypt, with the Saudis footing the bill. The GRU general’s visit Monday ties in with a prospective transaction. Egypt has not acquired Russian arms in 41 years since breaking off ties with Moscow in 1972.