Russian Troops Withdraw from Syrian Hama and Flee Damascus, Ukraine’s Intelligence Reports

Russian forces have withdrawn from the Syrian city of Hama, while military personnel and diplomats are urgently evacuating from Damascus, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) reported on December 1.

According to HUR, Syrian opposition forces are advancing rapidly in southern Syria, with the first clashes occurring in Hama, Homs, and Suwayda.

“Russian troops fled Hama and retreated to the Khmeimim Air Base,” the report states.

Russian General Colonel Alexander Zhuravlyov, head of the coordination headquarters at Khmeimim, reportedly admitted that “the situation has spiraled out of control for Bashar al-Assad’s regime.”

Armed uprisings have also erupted in Damascus, prompting an urgent evacuation of Russian military personnel and diplomats from the Syrian capital, HUR added.

The report also noted that Russian forces fled their military base in Khan Shaykhun, leaving behind a large arsenal of weapons and equipment.

On December 1, Russian aviation launched strikes in the area to destroy the abandoned equipment to prevent it from being captured by the Syrian opposition forces.

The intelligence report highlighted the resignation of General Kiselyov, commander of Russia’s contingent in Syria.

Colonel Vadim Baykulov, commander of Russian special forces in Syria, has been summoned to Moscow to explain recent losses in personnel and the seizure of military equipment in Aleppo as well.

Previously, the Kremlin expressed its commitment to supporting the Syrian government. According to sources cited by Reuters, Russia has pledged additional military assistance, with new equipment expected to arrive soon.