Two Russian military bases in Syria are crucial for Moscow's presence in the Mediterranean Sea and in Africa. VOA Russian speaks to a range of U.S. experts and officials to see if Russia has any chance of keeping its Syrian bases following the fall of its ally, Bashar al-Assad. Most experts, including Michael Rubin from the American Enterprise Institute, agree that Moscow is likely involved in fierce diplomatic negotiations right now to retain its presence in Syria.
VOA Russian: Will Russia lose its military bases in Syria?
This satellite image released by Maxar Technologies on Dec. 13, 2024, shows Russian S-400 air defense missile systems being assembled to depart from the Russian Hmeimim Air Base in Syria's western province of Latakia.