Russia has resumed military flights to its Hmeimim airbase in Syria after a six-month pause, signaling renewed cooperation with Damascus following the ouster of former ruler Bashar al-Assad, Bloomberg reported on October 30.
According to flight-tracking data cited by Bloomberg, at least two Russian military aircraft—an Il-62M transport plane and an An-124-100 heavy-cargo jet—have landed in Latakia, where the base is located, since late October. A person close to the Kremlin confirmed that Moscow is reactivating flights to the facility.
The Hmeimim airbase and Russia’s naval port in Tartus remain the country’s most strategic military assets in the Middle East, serving as logistical hubs for its operations in Africa and the Mediterranean. Their future came into question after Assad fled to Moscow nearly a year ago and was replaced by Syria’s transitional government, led by President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Bloomberg writes.
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Russia’s Key Military Bases in Syria and Why They Matter for Moscow
Dec 11, 2024 13:34
Losing either base would represent a major setback for Moscow as it faces mounting confrontation with the US and Europe nearly four years after launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. US President Donald Trump has met with Sharaa twice this year, and both Washington and the EU have eased economic sanctions on Syria to encourage political stability.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin met Sharaa in Moscow two weeks ago, where the status of the military bases topped the agenda, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov also held talks with his Syrian counterpart, Murhaf Abu Qasra, this week.
Sources told Bloomberg that even if Russia retains a presence in Syria, its footprint is likely to shrink compared to pre-Assad-era levels. Meanwhile, Syria’s Foreign Ministry delegation has arrived in Moscow to reopen the country’s embassy and restore consular services, according to the state-run SANA agency.
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Russia Fuels Migrant Surge in Hybrid War Tactic
Jul 24, 2025 10:16
Sharaa, speaking Wednesday at Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative summit, said his government is seeking foreign investment to rebuild Syria after more than a decade of civil war. Russia, which has pledged support for reconstruction, earlier stated it remains ready to cooperate on infrastructure and energy projects.
Previously, it was reported that Syria’s new government has suspended all agreements signed with Russia under the previous Assad regime, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani said in an interview with the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency.
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