Statements from Russian government or intelligence agencies

Russia Confirms Assad in Moscow After Evacuation Amid HTS-Led Rebel Advances

Dec 11, 2024, 09:55 AM

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov confirmed that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is in Russia. Sources indicate that Russian intelligence agents organized Assad's evacuation after persuading him he would lose the fight against rapidly advancing rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Fearing a fate similar to Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, Assad was transported via a Russian airbase on December 10, with the aircraft's transponder turned off and avoiding Turkish airspace to prevent detection. Ryabkov stated that Assad is safe and Russia will not hand him over for trial, noting that Russia is not a party to the International Criminal Court. President Vladimir Putin is reportedly demanding explanations from Russia's intelligence services about their failure to detect the growing threat to Assad's regime earlier.