Putin probes intelligence lapses over missed threats to Assad's rule

Bloomberg has reported, citing Kremlin insiders, that Russian President Vladimir Putin is scrutinising the shortcomings of Russian intelligence in identifying threats to the rule of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Sources revealed that Russian intelligence agents facilitated Assad's escape, transporting him through a Russian military base in Syria. To ensure the operation remained undetected, the transceiver on Assad's transport plane was deactivated to prevent tracking.

The report also noted that Moscow persuaded Assad to seek refuge in Russia after determining that his chances of prevailing in the conflict against opposition forces were slim.