Summary
What's been happening in Russian politics in December? Read and find out.
As 2024 neared its end, December served as a reflection of Russian politics over the past two years: escalating international tensions and the ongoing, now over 1,000-day conflict in Ukraine.
But will 2025 mark a turning point in Russian politics? Can Trump’s second presidency deliver on its promise to end the war in Ukraine on his first day in office?
As East-West tensions continue to rise, the coming year will likely be critical in Russia’s future and the broader geopolitical landscape.
December 8: former Syrian president seeks asylum in Moscow
According to Russian news reports, Bashar al-Assad and his family arrived in Moscow and were granted asylum “out of humanitarian considerations. ”
This announcement ended speculation about his whereabouts after rebel forces seized control of Damascus. Earlier, Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed that Assad had resigned and left Syria.
As a key ally of Assad with two military bases in Syria, Russia intervened in their civil war to maintain his regime. Despite Russia’s support, Assad’s government collapsed under a rebel offensive.
Russian state TV confirmed Assad’s arrival in Moscow, and Russian officials reportedly reached out to Syria’s armed opposition, ensuring the safety of Russian military assets in Syria.
Russia had conducted airstrikes in Syria for years, targeting what it claimed were “terrorists,” though these attacks often resulted in civilian casualties.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, over 21,000 people, including 8,700 civilians, were killed in Russian operations.
December 17: chemical weapons chief murdered in Moscow
Igor Kirillov, Russia’s head of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection troops, died in an explosion in south-eastern Moscow.
The explosion, which occurred as he left his apartment, was allegedly a targeted operation by Ukraine’s SBU security service.
The security service described him as a “war criminal” and a legitimate target. The explosives were planted in an electric scooter.
In Russia, Kirillov was regarded as a patriot and an ardent defender of Russia’s position in the war in Ukraine. The West often accused him of overseeing the use of chemical weapons on the battlefield.
December 20: Five killed in Ukrainian strike on Russia’s Kursk region
Russian officials reported five people killed in a Ukrainian strike on the Kursk region.
Kursk’s acting governor, Alexander Khinshtein, also confirmed nine others were hospitalised following the attack in the town of Rylsk.
Earlier, Russian officials reported on six deaths, including a child. But in an audio message on Telegram, Khinshtein said, “There were no children among those [killed],”.
The strike also damaged several buildings, including a cultural centre, school, and homes.
The concept of ‘This Month in Politics’ created by Edward Jewsbury.
Featured Image Credit: Edward Jewsbury.
I am a third-year Politics and Journalism Studies student at the University of Stirling (2022-) and a writer and sub-editor for the Brig for over a year (Nov. 2023-), focusing mainly on political topics.
