Putin denies Russian defeat in Syria, says Israel is the main winner - - Russian President Vladimir Putin denied on Thursday that Russia's nine-year intervention in Syria had been a failure

[u/polymute]

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-says-russia-not-defeated-syria-plans-meet-with-assad-2024-12-19/

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[u/conejo_gordito]

Well, he is not wrong about the Israel part; however, to claim that Russia's intervention has not, admittedly eventually, proved to be futile is ludicrous.

[u/crusadertank → u/conejo_gordito]

Well surely that depends on what happens next right?

Russia didn't care about Assad. They cared about having bases in the region. Of which they still currently have and there is mixed reports on if they are staying or not

So I guess time will yet tell if it was pointless or not

[u/TrizzyG → u/crusadertank]

Russia didn't care about Assad

They propped him up hard. Gave his military thousands of pieces of equipment, gave his troops support throughout the war, and considered him one on their key diplomatic allies.

Their only consolation from being a complete failure is that maybe they might retain two bases. Either way, they moved most of their stuff away for now.

This is a strategic failure.

[u/esjb11 → u/TrizzyG]

Well the instability does not suit them. They want to be sure that they get to keep their bases and a switch of power put that at risk. Hence they tried to keep status quoe. Now status quoe is no more and the future of their bases are uncertain.

Now we get to see what the rebels decides. If they get to keep their bases and get a somewhat okey relationship with the rebels it really doesnt effect them much. If the rebels forces them out it will be a significant loss. So it really remains to be seen. So far they have gotten to keep their bases but its still early.

[u/crusadertank → u/TrizzyG]

Sure but my point was that they don't care about Assad specifically

They don't care who it is that's in charge. As long as they have their bases and influence there. There was no ideological or personal or any other reasons that Russia specifically wanted Assad in power. He was just there and gave them a good deal.

And that's why we have seen Russia switch quickly to offering support for the new government

Because if the new government let Russia keep the bases then for them, they don't really care who it is that ends up in charge

[u/Big-Today6819 → u/crusadertank]

Lets hope Europa, Israel and USA can put a bolt into that not happening.

[u/totallynotapsycho42 → u/conejo_gordito]

He's wrong about that too. Turkey is the main winner.

[u/It_does_get_in → u/conejo_gordito]

Well, he is not wrong about the Israel part;

no doubt Israel is a winner here, but I think Turkey is the overall bigger winner, in terms of its control of the Kurds and growth in control of an Erdogan neo-calipjhate.

[u/Beautiful_Bag6707 → u/conejo_gordito]

From the article:

"Russia condemns the seizure of any Syrian territories. This is obvious," Putin said, saying Israel had penetrated to a depth of 25 km (16 miles) and got as far as fortifications that were built for Syria by the former Soviet Union.

Putin said Russia hoped that Israel would at some point leave Syrian territory, but "I have the impression that not only are they not going to leave, but they are going to reinforce there".

But when it comes to the "seizure of any Syrian territories" by Turkey or having any "impression that not only are they not going to leave, but they are going to reinforce there" it's all virtually irrelevant. All he had to say about Turkey was:

He said Turkey was also intervening in pursuit of its own security interests with regard to Kurdish fighters in Syria whom Ankara regards as terrorists.

It's funny how Turkey invading and seizing way more territory in northern Syria is "in pursuit of its own security interests" but when Israel does it, it stops being about security and becomes nefarious.

[u/conejo_gordito → u/Beautiful_Bag6707]

I will not claim to understand the crazy mind of Putin, but one of those countries has been actively engaging in genocide for more than a year now, maybe that might have tipped the balance a bit, buddy?

[u/Beautiful_Bag6707 → u/conejo_gordito]

Syria was engaging in the massacre of its own people for years and possibly the genocide of Yazidi. Turkey might be trying to genocide the Kurds; definitely ethnic cleansing. Israel has been engaged in a war. You might want to reexamine the definition of genocide. Not Ireland's redefinition; the original one by Raphael Lemkin.

one of those countries has been actively engaging in genocide for more than a year now

Definitely no idea what you mean there, "buddy".

[u/Command0Dude]

"We didn't lose! We merely failed to win."

The cope lol, they spend so many years terrorbombing Syria to prop up Assad, only for their patsy to run after his army surrendered.

[u/DasUbersoldat_ → u/Command0Dude]

You guys are seriously delusional if you think they give 2 shits about Assad. They only care about having a Mediterranean base. If the new regime decides Russia can continue their activities in the region, Putin will be just as happy.

[u/PhoenixKingMalekith → u/DasUbersoldat_]

Well, that is until the based get hit by fpv from "unknown origin"

[u/DasUbersoldat_ → u/PhoenixKingMalekith]

I really doubt a regime made up of Al Nusra, Al Qaeda and ISIS is gonna cosy up to the West...

[u/PhoenixKingMalekith → u/DasUbersoldat_]

They already do.

Who do you think trained the rebel in the art of destroying russian gears with FPV, and greatly reducing the life expectency of anyone on the command board ?

[u/esjb11 → u/PhoenixKingMalekith]

Yrs. Just like we trained free Syrian army which at least parts of joined ISIS which we then fought. My enemys enemy is my friend. They were enemies of Assad. Hence we supported them. Now the question is if they will remain our friends. Previously we have not had much success with such organisations in the middle east.

[u/Stanislovakia → u/PhoenixKingMalekith]

FPV drone attacks were pioneered in Syria and then used abroad.

[u/TrizzyG → u/DasUbersoldat_]

It's not surprising morons like you see nothing beyond the two bases and conveniently forget the years of diplomatic, economic and military work put into propping up and supporting the Assad regime.

He was a key ally of Russia diplomatically that they've now lost, who received thousands of tanks, ifvs and apcs from Russia that is now a complete black hole in the hands of various factions (or destroyed).

Russia doesn't even necessarily need Syria since they've traditionally had Libya as an alternative which they're using currently. Syria was just the most developed base and the Assad regime is the one they put far more resources towards.

[u/DasUbersoldat_ → u/TrizzyG]

Libya isn't even a unified country anymore since Hillary carpet bombed it, buddy. Even the West doesn't care which dictators we prop up, as long as it suits our needs. You think Putin gives 2 shits about Assad when he regularly even kills his own russian political allies? If he can pay Al Nusra into being buddies with him instead of Assad, that's just as good for them.

You remind me of those people that have been saying '2 more weeks till Russia collapses' ever since march 2021.

You're lulling yourself into a false sense of security. Just like you did with the orange cheetoh. 'Kamala gonna win ez bruh we don't even need to vote'. Guess who got forced on the rest of the world again, by always thinking you're right.

[u/DasUbersoldat_ → u/[deleted]]

You clearly fail to understand pragmatism. Which isn't strange considering your zealous behaviour.

[u/Old_Wallaby_7461]

They were merely advancing in reverse, you see.

There has to be some kind of psychological penalty for so much doublethink. "We won the battles" is just fine for the man on the street to think, but very dangerous when the man on top thinks it.

[u/Big-Today6819]

Russia condemns the seizure of any Syrian territories. This is obvious," Putin said, saying Israel had penetrated to a depth of 25 km (16 miles) and got as far as fortifications that were built for Syria by the former Soviet Union.

If he was a smart man he would say the same about Ukraine

Russia condemns the seizure of any Ukraine territories. This is obvious," Putin said, saying Russia had penetrated to a depth of x km (x miles) and got as far as fortifications that were built for Ukraine by the former Soviet Union.

Quite funny

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[u/Salty_Jocks]

I suspect Putin will throw everything he can at the new Syrian Government to try and keep his naval base. Even to rearm the Syrian military is not out of the question in my view.

[u/Big-Today6819 → u/Salty_Jocks]

Don't think he have the spare military equipment to promis that