MOSCOW, June 2 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Defense Ministry categorically denied Friday a media report that Russia had started construction of a naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus.

"This is an absolutely false report that has no foundation whatsoever," spokesperson Vyacheslav Sedov said.

Kommersant, a respected Russian daily, said earlier Friday that Russia had started dredging at a Syrian port where it maintains a logistical supply point with a possible eye to turning it into a full-fledged naval base for the country's Black Sea Fleet.

Sedov said the supply point in Tartus, located 251 kilometers (about 160 miles) from the Syrian capital, Damascus, would be used in its present capacity in the future.