Although Russia has managed to avoid an economic collapse, its war with Ukraine and military involvement in Syria have negatively affected its economy.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief today, discussing cooperation between Ukraine and Syria. The meeting focused on relations with Syria after the fall of the regime and the escape of Bashar al-Assad.

With Russia’s diminished influence in Syria, Ukraine calls on Israel to reconsider its stance and provide essential defensive weapons and technology.

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.

Ukraine, like the United States, is a volunteer society, and immediately after the war, groups sprang up around the country to bring supplies to villages and towns under shelling and help or shelter those who wanted to evacuate. The TrustChain has drawn on such groups.

Washington Post reports that Ukrainian intelligence handed over drones and operators to the Syrian rebels of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which toppled Bashar al-Assad's regime on 8 December,

Syria's main ports are working normally after days of disruptions, maritime officials said on Monday, and Ukraine said it was in touch with the interim government about delivering staple foods.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday he had instructed his government to set up supply mechanisms to deliver together with international organisations and partners food to Syria in the aftermath of the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

In abandoning Syria’s Bashar-al Assad, Vladimir Putin showed where his interests really lie, Alexandra Vacroux writes in a guest commentary.

Sham, or HTS, made a lightning assault across Syria. Where did the rebels get the cash, weapons and training that made their takeover possible?