After Assad's escape to Putin, the network exploded with memes.

On Sunday, December 8, Russian media reported that Bashar Assad and his family were granted asylum in Moscow. This news prompted an active reaction from Ukrainians on social media, where they began creating and sharing memes on this topic.

In particular, people recalled how Assad said ten years ago that he would never leave Syria, just as the former fugitive president Viktor Yanukovych did.

Also on social media, a collage was created with photos of Viktor Yanukovych, Bashar Assad, Vladimir Putin, and Viktor Medvedchuk. Next to it was the phrase that Yanukovych once said - 'Astanavites'.

Users also mentioned a photo of Assad with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

It is recalled that while fleeing from Damascus, Bashar Assad disappeared from monitoring radars along with the Il-76T plane he was on. It was reported that this happened due to the downing of the plane or a plane crash. However, according to data from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, this news was disinformation that Russia used to cover up its operation to rescue Assad and his entourage.

Earlier, rebels in Syria reported the capture of the capital Damascus and the fall of Bashar Assad's government.

The Syrian president's plane left Damascus in an unknown direction and disappeared from radars at an altitude of 495 meters. It is likely that it crashed, but perhaps the pilot turned off the sensors before the emergency landing.

Furthermore, the Russian side is withdrawing ships from the base in Tartus and transferring stocks of weaponry by planes from Khmeimim in Syria.