The transfer marks the end of an era when Russia played an arguably oversized role in determining which countries could operate in Syria’s contested airspace.

The Kremlin has denied reports that claim Asma al-Assad is seeking a return to London following her husband's exile in Moscow.

Two African states are frustrating Moscow's efforts to establish a stronger military presence in the continent following the fall of Assad.

Assad, who fled with her family from Syria to Moscow, has reportedly filed for divorce in Russia, Al Jazeera reports. The Kremlin denies these claims. Read also: Fall of Assad: Syria's uncertain future under al-Jaulani Asma al-Assad is reportedly dissatisfied with life in Moscow,

HMEIMIM AIR BASE, Syria — The Sukhoi fighter aircraft punched through the clouds, its growl echoing over Russia’s Hmeimim air base on Syria’s coast. Abu Zaid, a bearded militant with the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al Sham, cocked his ear toward the roar.

The rapid downfall of Syrian leader Bashar Assad has touched off a new round of delicate geopolitical maneuvering between Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In his first comments on Assad’s downfall, Putin said that he hadn’t yet met the former Syrian ruler, whom he has given asylum in Moscow, but plans to.

A lengthy convoy of Russian military vehicles rolled down the highway heading towards the Syrian city of Tartous on Monday as soldiers stood guard. Planes periodically descended and rose from Russia’s Hmeimim air base in the Syrian coastal province of Latakia while smoke rose from inside the base.

The Syrian regime’s collapse came more quickly than the rebels had dreamed — the circumstances were both serendipitous and part of a larger global realignment.

Syrian leader Bashar Assad issued what appeared to be his first public statement since he was ousted and fled with his family to Russia more than a week ago.

Turkish media outlets are reporting that the former Syrian first lady wants to end her marriage and flee to the U.K.