Two Russian Military Installations Face Serious Threats in Syria Due to “Factions”

Russian war bloggers have warned that two strategically important Russian military installations in Syria, as well as Russia’s presence in the Middle East, are under serious threat from rapidly advancing armed factions.

With Russian military resources primarily focused on Ukraine, where Moscow’s forces are racing to seize more territory before Donald Trump takes office in January, Russia’s ability to influence the situation on the ground in Syria has been significantly limited compared to 2015 when it intervened decisively to support the Syrian government.

The rapid advance of Syrian armed factions threatens to undermine Russia’s geopolitical influence in the Middle East and its ability to project power in the region via the Mediterranean and Africa. This also poses an embarrassing setback for President Vladimir Putin, who views Russia’s intervention in Syria as an example of Moscow’s ability to use force to shape events in distant places and compete with the West, according to Reuters.

However, Russian war bloggers, some of whom are close to the Russian Ministry of Defense and have greater freedom to speak than military personnel, say the most pressing threat to Moscow is the future of the Russian Khmeimim Airbase in Syria’s Latakia province and its naval facility in Tartus on the coast.

The Tartus facility is Russia’s only repair and supply center in the Mediterranean, and Syria also uses it as a launching point for transporting its military contractors to and from Africa.

Prominent Russian war blogger Rybar, who has over 1.3 million followers on his Telegram channel and is close to the Ministry of Defense, said Russian forces face a serious threat. He warned, “We must realize that the armed factions’ fighters will not stop.”

He continued, “They will try to inflict as much defeat and damage to the reputation and personnel of the Russian Federation (in Syria), particularly aiming to destroy our military bases.”

He added that relying solely on the Syrian army is futile, noting it will continue to retreat unless it receives appropriate support from Russian air forces and specialists.

The Russian Ministry of Defense could not be reached for comment on Saturday, a public holiday. The Russian Embassy in Damascus has advised its nationals to leave Syria.