Ten months following the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russia’s long-standing influence in Syria has visibly receded. Evidence of this shift includes the reported withdrawal of most Russian troops and the widespread abandonment of military bases and investment projects initiated during its decade-long intervention. Observations in the town of Hmeimim, where shops with Russian signage are largely shuttered and Russian soldiers are no longer a common sight, further illustrate this reduced presence. The new president, Ahmed al-Shara, who led the opposition forces responsible for the regime change, has nonetheless permitted Russia to maintain a small operational footprint in the country, rather than necessitating a complete departure.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/world/middleeast/syria-russia-ahmed-al-shara-putin.html