**Russia Appears to be Withdrawing Military Assets from Syria**
Satellite images collected by Maxar on December 13 suggest that Russia is preparing to scale back its military presence in Syria.
Two AN-124 heavy military transport planes were spotted at Khmeimim air base, located in Latakia on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. The nose cones of the planes were lifted, indicating readiness to load cargo. A Ka-52 attack helicopter was also being dismantled, possibly for transport. Components of an S-400 air defense system were being packed up.
The activity at Khmeimim air base appears to be part of a larger consolidation effort, according to Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “In short, a withdrawal is underway,” he wrote on social media platform X.
Russia has maintained a military presence in Syria since 2015, primarily to support the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad during the country’s civil war. However, there have been reports that Russian troops are frustrated with their commanders over the chaotic withdrawal process.
The Kremlin has emphasized the importance of securing its military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on December 11 that Moscow has maintained contact with Syria’s new leadership. He declined to comment on potential evacuations or provide information on the number of Russian troops in the country.
**Other Developments**
* Ukrainian drones reportedly struck an oil depot in Oryol, Russia overnight on December 14, causing a large fire.
* The Supreme Court of the Netherlands has rejected Russia’s appeal, upholding a decision requiring Moscow to pay $5 billion in compensation to Ukraine’s state-owned Naftogaz for misappropriated assets in occupied Crimea.
* France’s President Emmanuel Macron is expected to raise the possibility of deploying European soldiers to Ukraine at an upcoming EU leaders’ summit on December 18-19.
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