Russian Soldiers Flee Syria, Video Appears To Show

Russian soldiers are reportedly fleeing Syria, with new footage emerging that purportedly shows military personnel speeding away from an air base.

The footage appears to show a large Russian military convoy, including armored vehicles, trucks, and artillery, departing from an air base said to be located on the border between Aleppo and Raqqa provinces in northern Syria.

The unverified video was posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the military blogger WarTranslated (Dmitri).

Newsweek has contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment via email.

The Kremlin confirmed that Russia has granted political asylum to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a decision personally made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to reveal Assad’s current whereabouts and said that Putin has no intention of meeting with him at this moment.

On Sunday, Syria’s army command informed officers that Assad’s rule had come to an end following a lightning rebel offensive.

The overthrow of Assad’s government marks the end of nearly 14 years of civil war.

The Russian foreign ministry said on Sunday that Assad “decided to resign the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power,” ending speculation surrounding his whereabouts.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan discussed the unfolding situation in Syria on Monday during an appearance on CBS This Morning.

He said that several major Syrian rebel groups, including some once designated by the U.S. as terrorist organizations, have been signaling positive and constructive intentions.

“We’re going to work with all the groups in Syria, and as President Biden said yesterday, the rebel groups, including the ones that have been designated as terrorist groups, have actually said all the right things,” Sullivan said. “Now the question is, what will they do to try to bring about a better Syria?”

Royal United Services Institute Senior Research Fellow for Middle East Security, Dr. Burcu Ozcelik, said in a statement: “Syria is home to two major Russian military installations: an air base in Hmeimim and a naval base in Tartus.

“Recent days have seen reports that Russia was redeploying at least some of its air defense assets that were defending Khmeimim Air Base in Syria, and the bases are now in a state of high alert.

“It is in Russia’s interest to seek to maintain access, but its ability to project power in and through Syria is now severely debilitated.

“It will take time and negotiations with the new Syrian administration, a yet-to-be-determined entity, before it is clear what Russia’s stakes in Syria will be. But this is now a radically transformed Syria, and Russia has no good options.”

This power shift has prompted international discussions about the future of the country.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in a statement: “We hope for a peaceful transition of power and an inclusive Syrian-led political process.”

In September 2015, Russia formally entered the Syrian civil war, launching air strikes aimed at weakening opposition groups and terrorist organizations, particularly ISIS (Islamic State) and al-Qaeda-affiliated groups.

Russia’s intervention included the use of advanced fighter jets, bombers, and helicopters. These air strikes, however, were often criticized for targeting not only terrorist groups but also moderate opposition forces and civilian areas.