The Russian contingent in Syria has begun a retreat after rapidly losing control of key territories. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, the Russians have withdrawn warships from the Tartus naval base and are moving the remaining weapons from the Hmeymim air base.
On 8 December 2024, the frigate Admiral Grigorovich of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the cargo ship Inzhener Trubin of the Northern Fleet set sail from Tartus to the Mediterranean Sea. This step is part of the retreat after the loss of Damascus, which is now under the control of opposition forces. The Russians are also transferring military equipment and weapons from Syria to Russia using military aircraft operating from the Hmeimim airbase.
As unrest in Syria continues to escalate, opposition forces are moving towards the coast, putting Russian military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim at risk. If these bases are lost, it will be a de facto defeat for the Kremlin in the Middle East.