The first Russian citizens evacuated from Syria have arrived in Moscow in what is viewed as the clearest sign yet the Kremlin may be preparing for President Bashar al-Assad’s possible defeat. Two planes carrying 77 Russian citizens flew from Beirut, the Lebanese capital, on Wednesday for the first time since the Syrian conflict began nearly two years ago. The move to rescue tens of thousands of Russians living in Syria signals the beginning of what could become a difficult and dangerous operation as rebels gain momentum in their fight to oust President Assad’s regime. Although it has made no indication that it will abandon its position that Assad’s exit must not be a precondition for a peace deal. Those on board were mainly women married to Syrians and their children.
