Ukraine's military intelligence agency claims Russia is retreating from its Syrian bases. Moscow has refuted the claims. View on euronews

The downfall of Bashar Assad in Syria is a blow to Russian influence in the Middle East, likely impacting its access to key military bases.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted Russia’s need to ensure the security of its diplomatic facilities and its military bases in Syria, where Russian troops were based for years supporting the Syrian military in the country’s civil war.

Military transport aircraft, including An-124 and Il-76 planes, continue to transport personnel and equipment to Russian airfields in Ulyanovsk, Chkalovsky, and Privolzhsky.

Russia may need to forget about military bases in Syria for around a dozen years, according to a Russian military analyst. He believes that the new government, mindful of the Russian bombings, will not permit such facilities on its soil.