A Key Point for the Kremlin: How the Loss of a Naval Base in Syria Could Hurt Russia

An important point for the Kremlin: how the loss of a naval base in Syria could hit Russia Petro Sineoky

Russia may lose its two military bases in Syria. This will be a serious blow to the capabilities of the aggressor country.

Captain 1st rank of the Ukrainian Navy reserves, Sonata expert Andrey Ryzhenko told Channel 24 about this, noting that the 720th logistics center of Russia is located on the territory of Tartus. This was an important naval base of the Soviet fleet, which Russia retained for itself.

How will this hit Russia

As Ryzhenko noted, Tartus is the only Russian naval base that is located far beyond its borders. It helped the occupiers have the ability to influence events in the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions.

After the collapse of the USSR, Russia realized that Tartus was the key to its influence in this region. In 2017, they signed a 49-year lease agreement with the possibility of extension. Russia invested serious resources there to expand the base. There was an idea to even accept submarines. They were also supposed to develop the Khmeimim airbase. S-300s were transferred there, which were then taken for the war against us, Ryzhenko said.

If Russian bases in Syria really disappear, then Russia will not have the ability to permanently base in the Mediterranean region. They have some relatively friendly countries, but they can station their ships there for literally a few weeks. Not for years.

Russia has invested heavily in cooperation with North African countries. They even had joint exercises with Egypt. But now it will be more difficult.

Russia will now communicate with the main players in the region. First of all, with Turkey. Let's see how they will withdraw their contingent. I think that Russia will fight to somehow hold on to this base. But I do not rule out that it will not stay there. I estimate that Russia will lose this base in the medium term. Let us add that before the base in Tartus, Russia also wanted to open a naval base in Sudan in the Red Sea. Now it is much less likely that this will happen, Ryzhenko noted.

Let us add that back in early December, analysts reported that Russia was withdrawing some ships from the base in Tartus.