Russia has begun dismantling its military outposts in Syria amid uncertainty about its future in the region following Bashar al-Assad's abrupt fall last weekend. Images captured by satellite observation companies Maxar and Planet Labs showed an increase in ground vehicles at the Khmeimim air base, where Russia was permanently storing air defence systems, warplanes, and other military equipment. Imagery showed the apparent disassembly of the Russian air defences and the arrival of several large transport aircraft, believed to indicate forces gathering to depart in the wake of the rebel takeover of the country.