Russia’s Federation Council unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin’s request to use Russian armed forces in Syria, providing the domestic legal basis for overt military action.
Russian aircraft started conducting combat sorties in Syria, marking the beginning of sustained air operations in support of the Assad government.
A Turkish F-16 shot down a Russian Su-24 near the Syria–Turkey border, triggering a major crisis between Ankara and Moscow during the early phase of Russia’s intervention.
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2254, laying out a roadmap for a Syrian-led political process and calling for a ceasefire framework—diplomacy that Russia later positioned itself to shape.
Putin ordered the withdrawal of the “main part” of Russia’s forces from Syria, while keeping key capabilities and bases—signaling a shift to a more sustainable posture rather than an exit.
Russia used Iran’s Hamadan air base to launch strikes in Syria, highlighting deepening operational cooperation with Iran and expanding Russia’s regional basing options.
The evacuation of rebels and civilians from eastern Aleppo was completed, consolidating Syrian government control of the city with decisive backing from Russian airpower and allied ground forces.
Turkey and Russia backed a nationwide ceasefire framework (excluding UN-designated terrorist groups), creating conditions for talks under the Russia–Turkey–Iran track.
Russia and Syria concluded agreements extending and formalizing Russia’s military presence, including long-term arrangements for the Tartus naval facility and the Hmeimim air base.
Government and opposition delegations convened in Astana for talks sponsored by Russia, Turkey, and Iran—an influential parallel diplomatic track to the UN-led Geneva process.
Russia, Iran, and Turkey signed a memorandum on “de-escalation zones,” aiming to freeze front lines and reduce fighting in specified areas—while combat against designated terrorist groups continued.
During an unannounced visit to Hmeimim, Putin said major combat tasks were completed and ordered a partial withdrawal, while Russia maintained key bases and ongoing influence.
Russia hosted the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, promoting constitutional and political discussions and attempting to steer the settlement process alongside (and partly in competition with) UN channels.
At a Tehran summit, Turkey sought a ceasefire to avert an Idlib assault, while Russia and Iran rejected the proposal—foreshadowing intensified pressure on the last major opposition-held enclave.
Russia and Turkey agreed in Sochi to establish a demilitarized buffer zone in Idlib, with provisions for withdrawal of heavy weapons and joint monitoring/patrolling mechanisms.
Turkey began receiving Russia’s S-400 air-defense system, underscoring the post-2015 Russia–Turkey rapprochement shaped in part by their Syria engagement and complicating Ankara’s relations with NATO allies.
Russian Military Intervention in Syria (2015–2019)
