Russia is back in Syria and back in the Middle East power game. After months of pause, Russia resumed military flights to Syria, signaling Moscow’s determination to retain its long-term foothold in the region. According to Bloomberg and flight-tracking data, Russian aircraft — including IL-62 transport jets and An-124 heavy cargo planes — have landed multiple times at the Khmeimim Airbase in Latakia over the past week. The move follows Putin’s meeting with new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Moscow — his first since ousting Bashar al-Assad last year.