France Info: Bashar al Assad lives a luxurious, isolated life in Moscow under Russian surveillance

France Info revealed that former Syrian regime president Bashar al Assad is currently living in complete isolation in the Russian capital, Moscow, after fleeing Damascus following the collapse of his regime.

France Info reported that Assad is residing with his family in a luxurious apartment in the “City of Capitals” neighborhood, one of the most exclusive residential areas reserved for the Russian elite, where the highest levels of protection are provided by Russian security services.

According to the report, Assad’s apartment is approximately 119 square meters and is estimated to be worth approximately $1.9 million.

According to a Russian journalist, who requested anonymity, as saying that Assad’s neighborhood is only inhabited by the wealthy due to high rents, noting that his residence is carried out in complete secrecy, away from the eyes of the media.

Syrian researcher Iyad Hamid believes that Assad’s presence in Russia wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment move, but rather the result of a strategy to transfer significant financial assets.

The transfer of more than $250 million from Damascus to Moscow has been documented between 2018 and 2019.

Despite his luxurious appearances, Assad is under strict surveillance by Russian security services, according to geographer Fabrice Balanche, who confirmed that his movements are restricted, especially with the escalating threat of Ukrainian drones inside Moscow.

Meanwhile, his son, Hafez, has been spotted in several locations in the Russian capital, including a video near the Kremlin and a photo in front of Lomonosov University, indicating his involvement in public life compared to his disappeared father.

Russia’s hosting of Assad is interpreted as not just a humanitarian refuge, but a geopolitical message: Moscow protects its allies.

“Putin hates losers, but he would prefer Assad to be in Moscow under surveillance rather than hanged in Damascus,” Balanche says, adding that his presence there sends a clear message to Russia’s other allies.

Despite Putin’s promises to meet him, no official meeting has been announced yet, while Moscow has remained silent on Assad’s status.