The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Assad transferred power "peacefully" and has left the country.

In Russia, it was announced that after negotiations with Syrian rebels, Bashar Assad decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, instructing for a peaceful transfer of power to take place.

This was stated in a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The agency noted that Russia did not participate in these negotiations but is "in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition."

The Russians emphasized that their military bases in Syria are on heightened combat readiness, but there is "no serious threat" to their security.

The day before, Ukrainian intelligence reported that Russia is withdrawing its ships from Syria and relocating remaining weapons and equipment.

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that the plane on which Assad was likely fleeing from the rebel-held Damascus disappeared from radar. There is a "high probability" that the President of Syria died in the crash.