Vladimir Putin lands in Syrian capital on unannounced visit

Russian president Vladimir Putin has arrived in Damascus on a surprise visit to meet his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.

Mr Putin met Mr Assad at a Russian military base in the capital, where the two leaders discussed the military situation in the country, a Kremlin spokesperson said.



Moscow has been a key backer of Mr Assad for years, formally entering Syria’s civil war on his side in 2015. That intervention was credited with turning the tide of the conflict in his favour, allowing his forces to recapture most of Syria.