A high-level Russian delegation arrived in Damascus on January 28, marking the first visit since the ousting of Assad, according to Russian state news agency RIA.

The delegation includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Russia's Special Envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev.  Bogdanov is heading Russia's delegation to Damascus for the first time since Moscow's ally, President Bashar al-Assad, was ousted by the new regime backed by Turkey.

Bogdanov said the visit aims to strengthen the historic ties between Russia and Syria based on shared interests. He stressed Russia’s commitment to Syria's territorial unity, independence, and the achievement of national reconciliation and peace.

Before the fall of Assad’s regime, Russia was one of his key diplomatic, political, and military backers. Assad fled to Moscow seeking refuge.

"This issue requires additional negotiations," TASS news agency cited Bogdanov as saying.

Russia operates two key military bases in Syria: the Tartus Naval Base, which was established in 1971, and the Hmeimim Airbase, founded in 2015 to support operations against ISIS.

Despite recent troop and equipment withdrawals, these bases remain vital for Russia, offering access to the Mediterranean and proximity to African countries.

Syria's new authorities have maintained their ties with Moscow and have not expelled Russian military forces from their bases in Syria. However, earlier this month, Al Watan reported that a contract with a Russian company to manage the Tartous port had been terminated.

Earlier in December, al-Sharaa said in an interview with Al Arabiya that "there are deep strategic interests between Russia and Syria. All Syrian weaponry is Russian, and many power stations are operated by Russian expertise."