After the end of Russia's military operation in Syria, Russian military bases in the country will remain, but the size of the Russian ground forces and, possibly, the Aerospace Forces will be reduced. This was stated to Interfax by Franz Klintsevich, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security. On November 21, it became known that during negotiations with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that the Russian operation in Syria would soon end.

According to Klintsevich, Assad had in mind precisely the preservation of Russian military bases in Syria when he spoke about guarantees of non-interference and stability in the country. The number of forces and resources in Syria "will be determined according to the situation," he added. The senator is convinced that Russian "forces and resources" will remain there "and will provide support, including in possible local hotbeds of tension," but there will most likely no longer be any intensive military action in Syria and by the end of the year "this problem will be resolved."

Klintsevich also said that "infrastructure for servicemen and their families" is being built at full speed at Russian bases in Syria, including schools and kindergartens. He considers this an important sign that the war is over, the senator said.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has every chance of retaining power in the country as a result of the political settlement process, Klintsevich believes. He noted that Assad's authority among various political forces in Syria has recently strengthened and the president "has demonstrated his ability to negotiate and a constructive approach to solving complex problems." The senator recalled that Moscow believes that the Syrian people should decide Assad's fate themselves.

Life at the Russian Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. October 2015 Life at the Russian Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. October 2015 1 / 14

A Russian Air Force Su-24 bomber lands at the Khmeimim airbase in Syria after a combat mission / Dmitry Vinogradov / RIA Novosti

Senator Klintsevich predicted the future fate of Russian bases in Syria