After days of uncertainty regarding the fate of the ousted dictator, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov confirmed that Bashar al-Assad is in Russia. Assad’s exile was hinted at informally earlier, but the Kremlin hesitated to confirm it. Ryabkov stated that Russia is committed to protecting its allies, acknowledging the delicate situation in Syria, where Russia has been militarily involved since 2015. The confirmation raises questions about potential legal actions against Assad while balancing diplomatic relations with new Syrian authorities.