Zelenskyy: Reduced Russian Presence in Syria Contributed to the Swift Fall of the Assad Regime

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the fall of the Assad regime is due both to the strength of the Syrian rebels as well as the absence of sufficient Russian troops stationed in Syria.

Russia’s entire combat-ready army, which at present makes up around 800,000 soldiers, is currently concentrated in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy underscored that a strong Russian army is against the interest of global security. The more successful Ukraine is at weakening Russian forces on the battlefield, the less likely Russia is to return to reassert control in Syria.

The loss of military bases in Syria could also significantly threaten Russia’s operational capabilities in Africa, diminishing its leverage in Libya and sub-Saharan Africa while also challenging its influence over authoritarian regimes on the continent.

“The same is already happening in Africa. We know that there were Wagner mercenaries there. And we know how many Wagner mercenaries were destroyed in Ukraine. Russia wants its regimes in Africa, ones that would influence the African continent, and for this, they used Wagner mercenaries,” commented Zelenskyy.

He concluded, “The strength of Ukraine determines the strength of Russia’s army. If Ukraine falls, Putin will seek revenge in Syria, return to Africa, and extend his reach into many other regions. This is what the world must understand: the success of Ukraine is the success of global security. Unity around Ukraine leads to success—a success that unites, and unity that brings victory.”

On December 8, Syrian opposition forces declared the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad after capturing Damascus, bringing an end to more than five decades of authoritarian rule under the Assad dynasty.