Russians Hide Their Ships From Syrian Rebels

The Navy squadron went into the open sea.

The fate of Russian military bases in Syria, including the key port of Tartus, is actually decided. According to satellite images of the Landsat service, published by the OSINT-analyst MT Anderson, Russian warships retreated 8 kilometers from the coast, according to the Dialogue.

Pictures taken on December 8 and 9 confirm that all Russian ships are on a roadstead in the Mediterranean Sea. Dara Massicot, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, believes that the ships' departure is linked to ensuring their safety in the face of the growing threat from Syrian rebels.

Russian military expert Vasily Dandykin previously said that the Navy squadron went to the open sea because of the region's "unpredictable situation." Pictures published by MT Anderson became the first documentary evidence of this information.

The withdrawal of Russian ships from Tartus underscores the precariousness of Russia's position in Syria. The fate of the bases, including the Khmeimim airbase, remains in doubt. The rebels, against whom Russia has been fighting for almost a decade, now occupy key positions in the region and can launch attacks on military facilities.

Of particular concern are the risks of capture by the rebels of Russian equipment, including fighters and bombers: the Su-34 and Su-35. If the bases are not evacuated in a timely manner, military equipment may fall into the hands of the new authorities, which will be a significant blow to the prestige and capabilities of the Russian defence industry.

Tartus, as Russia's most important base in the Mediterranean, was key to sustaining operations in the Middle East. However, the current situation shows that Russia is losing control over the region. This reinforces doubts about its ability to maintain its influence outside the former Soviet Union.

The decision on the fate of bases in Syria will be decisive for Russia's further foreign policy strategy, but it is already clear that its position in the region has weakened.

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