In Russia, they talked about the "rescue" of Assad and his future

The fugitive Syrian ruler was brought to Russian territory "in the safest way."

Moscow confirmed that it granted asylum to the former ruler of Syria, Bashar al-Assad; he was brought to Russian territory "in the safest way." The Kremlin is not going to hand him over to justice. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Serhii Ryabkov stated this in a comment to NBC News.

The Russian official added that Russia would continue to support the fugitive Syrian leader, whose regime has been accused of chemical attacks, war crimes, assassinations, systematic torture and enforced disappearances.

Ryabkov said that these accusations come from a group of governments "that constantly obstruct the attempts of other countries to live their own way".

Moscow hopes for a sovereign and integral future of Syria, therefore it hopes for a "serious review" of the situation on the Golan Heights by Israel. The Russian official also reminded that "it is impossible to violate the territorial integrity" of other countries.

The Kremlin is ready to consider another prisoner exchange with the United States of America, which will be a "healthy step forward" in relations between the countries, especially at the beginning of the Donald Trump administration, Ryabkov added.

Later, the media reported that the Israeli military had advanced deep into the territory of Syria and was now separated from the capital Damascus by approximately 25 km. The movement of troops is accompanied by active strikes on military targets.