Russia is withdrawing ships and transferring remaining weapons by aircraft from its bases in Syria amid the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
According to Ukrainian military intelligence, the rapid downfall of Assad’s regime has led to the retreat of Russian forces from Syria.
“After losing control over Damascus and facing the continued offensive by opposition forces in the provinces of Latakia, Hama, and Tartus, the Russian military has withdrawn its warships from the naval base in Tartus, which Assad had previously granted to Moscow in exchange for securing his regime,” Main Intelligence Directorate stated.
On December 9, the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich of the Black Sea Fleet and the cargo ship Engineer Trubin of the Northern Fleet departed from Tartus into the Mediterranean Sea.
"After the fall of Damascus, forces opposing Assad are advancing toward the coast. The potential loss of Russia's military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim would mark the Kremlin's definitive defeat in the Middle East," Main Intelligence Directorate stated.
