Russia withdrawing warships from Syrian base in Tartus - Ukraine’s defense intel
This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.
"The rapid process of overthrowing the Bashar Assad regime in Syria was marked by the shameful flight of the Russian contingent from the territory of the Arab Republic. In the capital of Syria, Damascus, the dictator's residence, government buildings, and the central office of national television are under the control of opposition forces," the report says.
After losing control over Damascus amid the opposition forces’ continued offensive operations in the provinces of Latakia, Hama, and Tartus, the Russian army withdrew its warships from the naval base in Tartus, which Assad had previously handed to Moscow for use as payment for his security.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, on December 8, the frigate Admiral Grigorovich of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the cargo ship Engineer Trubin of the Russian Northern Fleet left Tartus for the Mediterranean Sea.
The Russians are also transferring what’s left of their weapons and military equipment from Syria by military aircraft from the Khmeimim air base.
“After seizing Damascus, the opposition forces are advancing toward the coast so the likely loss of Russia’s military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim will finalize the Kremlin’s defeat in the Middle East,” the agency said.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, the head of the National Coalition of the Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, Hadi Al-Bahra, announced on Sunday the fall of the Bashar Assad regime, who had ruled Syria for 24 years.
Bashar Assad became president of Syria in June 2000, effectively taking over from his father, Hafez Assad, who had ruled the country for almost 30 years.
During Bashar Assad's rule, a civil war broke out in the country in 2011, in which Russia and Iran saved the dictator from defeat. However, Assad's allies were forced to reduce their support: Moscow – because of the war in Ukraine, and Tehran – because of the escalation with Israel.
