Part 5/9:
In an ominous development for Russia, the entire fleet at the Russian naval base in Tartus has reportedly departed. This marks a critical moment as Russian naval presence in the Mediterranean has historically been sustained since the Cold War. The withdrawal is interpreted by military experts as a sign of desperation in response to advancing rebel forces that threaten to sever the lifeline between Tartus and the Assad-held regions, ultimately jeopardizing Russian strategic interests in Syria.
Compounding setbacks for the Russian military, multiple sophisticated defense systems and weaponry have been abandoned in the chaos of evacuation, revealing a situation that has become increasingly untenable for Russian forces and Assad's regime alike.