With the Assad government visibly losing, Russia launches an air campaign from Khmeimim air base — its first major expeditionary war since the Soviet era — reversing the war's direction alongside Iranian-organised ground forces, and securing long-term basing at Khmeimim and Tartus.
Why it mattersThe intervention saved the regime for nine years and made Russia the war's indispensable broker. Its bases are the surviving stake now under negotiation with the government that replaced its client.