President Putin's Sweet Fruit in Syria

Intense Russian airstrikes have changed the battlefield situation, helping the Syrian army deliver a decisive blow to the rebels in Aleppo.

Syrian army approaches the outskirts of strategic city of Aleppo. Photo: Reuters

On February 5, under the strong support of Russian warplanes, the Syrian government army and its allies cut off an important supply route from the Turkish border to the city of Aleppo, the rebel base, pushing this force into its most difficult situation ever, according to Business Insider.

Rebel fighters say they have been hit by more than 200 airstrikes by Russian warplanes in the past 24 hours. After two days of unprecedented Russian airstrikes, Syrian government forces have captured several more villages on the outskirts of Aleppo, leading many to believe the strategic city will soon be completely surrounded.

Losing Aleppo, the largest city under rebel control, would be a decisive blow to the rebels after nearly five years of fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Rebels have controlled Aleppo since 2012, leading U.S. intelligence to believe they could eventually overthrow Mr. Assad’s government.

But through its military intervention, Russia has helped the Syrian army stand firm and gradually regain lost territories. Russia's fierce air strikes have completely changed the balance on the battlefield, giving the government army a significant advantage in recent weeks.

With the advance on Aleppo, the Syrian army has also broken the rebel siege of the two villages of Nubl and Zahra, which have been under siege for the past three years and have had to rely on food supplies dropped by parachute from planes.

Aleppo is a strategically vital city for rebels in northern Syria. Graphics: BBC

"The rebels are losing territory by the minute. We expect a terrible humanitarian disaster," said Rae McGrath, director for northern Syria and Türkiye at the humanitarian aid organization Mercy Corps. "There are a lot of people in Aleppo fleeing. This is definitely the worst situation we have seen since the beginning of the war."

According to analysts and diplomats, the victory of the Syrian government army in Aleppo will be the "sweet fruit" of Russian President Vladimir Putin after months of military intervention in Syria.

This victory will be seen by Russia as a strong demonstration of its military power and growing influence in the Middle East. With this victory, Mr. Putin will be one step closer to the end of the war, where the rebels are completely defeated by the Syrian government army, and Moscow will continue to maintain its naval and air bases in Syria.

Desolation inside Aleppo city after airstrikes. Photo: Reuters

Victory in Aleppo would also boost Putin’s morale at home, especially as the Russian economy struggles with plummeting oil prices. “This military victory would be a major moment of power, a symbol of military might, and would be used to bolster popular support for the Russian government,” said Stepan Goncharov, a senior fellow at the Levada Center.

"Putin's ultimate goal is to restore Russia's superpower status. Syria is part of Russia's foreign policy and Putin's personal legacy. Syria is where these things will be decided," Dmitry Trenin, a former Russian army colonel and director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, emphasized.

According to VNE