Russia May Retain Military Presence at Tartus and Hmeimim Bases in Syria, ISW Reports

Up to 3,000 Russian troops may stay stationed at key coastal bases in Syria. According to ISW , citing HUR , rumors among Russian soldiers suggest an agreement between the Kremlin and Syrian actors to maintain a military presence at Tartus Port and Hmeimim Air Base in Latakia.

HUR also noted that Russian military personnel stationed at the Tartus port, Hmeimim airbase, and on nearby ships in the region are facing shortages of drinking water and food supplies. They are reportedly awaiting provisions from Russian military transport aircraft currently engaged in evacuating military assets from Syria.

“Reports that Russian military personnel are awaiting additional food supplies suggest that the Kremlin may not plan or is unable to fully evacuate the bases in the immediate future,“ wrote ISW.

OSINT analyst MT Anderson reported on December 15 that satellite imagery from the same day shows the Admiral Golovko, a Gorshkov-class frigate, and possibly the Admiral Grigorovich, a Grigorovich-class frigate, remaining in a holding pattern approximately 15 kilometers from the Port of Tartus.

Satellite images taken on December 13 by Maxar and various media outlets reported earlier an increased activity at Russian military bases in Syria, indicating the evacuation of equipment after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.