Ukraine's military leadership has replaced the commander overseeing security in the eastern Donetsk region amid a rapid advance by Russian forces. General Alexander Tarnavsky was appointed head of the Operational and Tactical Group Donetsk, replacing General Alexander Lutsenko, an official said on Saturday. Ukraine is on the back foot on the battlefield as Russian troops are advancing at a rapid pace. Ukraine said on Saturday that Russian troops had destroyed several Ukrainian positions in villages around Pokrovsk.

Russia called back troops from the fronts in Syria

Russia has withdrawn its troops stationed in the northern Syrian fronts and the Alawite mountainous region to military bases but has not announced plans to leave the two bases. Russia has said that it wants to maintain these military bases to fight international terrorism.

The Russian army had established these bases to strengthen the Bashar al-Assad government. Assad and his father Hafiz al-Assad always had very good relations with Russia, even now Bashar has left the country and taken refuge in Russia. Meanwhile, six more Indians evacuated from Syria have reached New Delhi on Saturday. At present, Russia has an air force base in Mimim in the Latakia region of Syria and a naval base in Tartus.

Some heavy items were sent to Russia from Russian bases

Satellite images of the airbase on Friday showed two Antonov AN-124 cargo planes being loaded with goods. One of these planes took off from there on Saturday. This Antonov plane is the world's largest cargo plane.

According to sources, some heavy goods have been sent to Russia from Russian bases. It has also been revealed that many senior officers of the Syrian army are in touch with Russia and they can take refuge in Russian bases if needed. On December 8, the plane of ousted President Bashar al-Assad arrived at the Russian base in Latakia after flying from Damascus and from there flew to Moscow.

Russia to talk to Syria's new rulers about military bases

The Kremlin office of the Russian President has said that he will talk to the new rulers of Syria regarding the military bases. Russia wants to have good relations with Syria as before and its military bases should remain there. Russia's presence in Syria is necessary for its security and stability. But America wants to increase its influence in Syria. Foreign Minister Antony Blinken has said that American officials have established contact with the new rulers of Syria.