For Zelensky, “Putin always betrays those who trust him”
According to Ukraine, "the fall of Bashar Al Assad's regime in Syria is another example of how Putin behaves, and this will always be the case for all dictators who rely on Russia's support”.
“For decades, the Assad regime has neglected the interests of its own people in order to maintain itself in power, turning Syria into a pariah state dependent on the protection and support of other dictatorships,” notes the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has declared that the fall of Bashar Al-Assad is a response to the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria to fight in Ukraine, and has warned that if Vladimir Putin achieves his aims, they will return to Syrian territory and “many other countries” around the world.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to evacuate its military contingent from Syria to Libya. However, according to Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, the Russians have encountered a new setback there.
Russian ships near Syria are experiencing fuel tank leaks.
“The ship Alexander Otrakovsky encountered problems with its water desalination system, and the second and third fuel tanks began to leak,” the Ukrainian authorities report.
(MH with AmBar/Source: Agency/Photo: DPA/NurPhoto/Maxym Marusenko)