Russian authorities revealed that it was President Vladimir Putin's decision for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to seek asylum in Russia just before the rebels took control.
On the 9th (local time), according to TASS and AFP, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, stated at a briefing that if asylum was granted to President Assad and his family, it was a decision made by President Putin.
However, he remained silent about President Assad's whereabouts. He also added that the official schedule of President Putin did not include a meeting with President Assad.
The Syrian Embassy in Russia also confirmed to TASS on the same day that President Assad is currently in Moscow.
Spokesperson Peskov commented on the victory of the Syrian rebels, saying, "What happened in Syria surprised the whole world, and we are no exception."
Russia, along with Iran, has supported the Assad regime. Since 2015, it has intervened in the Syrian civil war, supporting government forces and assisting in suppressing the rebels. Russia maintains the only naval base and military airfield in the Mediterranean in Syria.
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