The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth revealed new details about the life of deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family in Russia, about a year and a half after he left Syria.

The Assad family tried to settle in the United Arab Emirates, but its request for permanent residency was rejected for security reasons.

According to what the newspaper reported, members of the Assad family spent periods in Abu Dhabi after leaving Syria before applying for residency there. However, Emirati security authorities informed them that their presence inside the country could expose them to security risks, leading to the rejection of the request.

Residence Between a Luxury Apartment and a Villa

The newspaper said Assad currently lives in the Russian capital, Moscow, under conditions it described as comfortable, moving between a luxury apartment in the “Moscow City” area and a villa in the upscale Rublyovka neighborhood west of the city.

It added that his residence is subject to strict security measures, amid an almost complete absence from public life, and that he has not appeared at events or in open places since arriving in Russia.

According to the report, part of the wealth transferred to Russia during his years in power contributes to covering the expenses of his current life, without the newspaper providing further details about the size or nature of those assets.

An Isolated Life in Exile

Yedioth Ahronoth described Assad’s lifestyle in Moscow as isolated and closed off, as he rarely leaves his place of residence and spends most of his time on personal activities.

The newspaper said he devotes long hours to reading books related to ophthalmology, the specialty he studied before assuming power, in addition to playing electronic games and trying to learn Russian.

It added that Assad has not been seen since arriving in Russia in shopping malls, cinemas, or public places in the Russian capital, reinforcing his image as a figure isolated politically and in the media

By contrast, reports cited by the newspaper pointed to limited appearances by members of his family outside their places of residence, as his children Hafez, Zein, and Karim were seen with their mother, Asma al-Assad, in luxury stores in Moscow, and also took trips abroad during the past period.

Difficulties Faced by Daughter Zein

The newspaper addressed the situation of Assad’s children, noting that his daughter Zein faced difficulties continuing her university studies at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi after her identity was revealed.

It said this sparked criticism and objections from some students, prompting her later to move to the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

It added that she completed her university studies there and received a bachelor’s degree during a ceremony attended by her mother and two brothers, while her father was absent from the occasion.

The reports also spoke of differences within the family over the future of their stay in Russia and the possibility of moving to another country, amid continued political and legal pressure linked to Assad’s period in power.

Putin and Assad

In another part of the report, the newspaper addressed the current nature of the relationship between Assad and the Russian leadership, noting that Russian authorities prevent journalists from reaching the residential compound where the former Syrian president is staying.

According to what it reported, these measures came under directives from Russian President Vladimir Putin, making it extremely difficult to document Assad’s life or any public appearance by him in Moscow.

The newspaper quoted analysts as saying Assad no longer represents a political card of major importance for the Kremlin, considering that the decision to grant him asylum after the fall of his rule was symbolic rather than a long-term political investment.

It added that Russia is currently working to rebuild communication channels with the new government in Damascus, as part of its effort to preserve its interests and military influence in Syria, placing Assad in a more isolated position compared with previous years.

An Unclear Future

The newspaper said Assad’s future remains unclear, amid continued legal and political proceedings linked to his period in power, alongside what it described as fears that he could face retaliatory attempts over the war Syria witnessed in recent years.

It also quoted experts and analysts as saying the fall of Assad’s rule ended a political era that lasted more than five decades of Assad family rule over Syria, stressing that the wealth he is believed to possess does not appear sufficient to end the political and legal isolation he is experiencing in Russian exile.

While the former Syrian president continues his life away from the spotlight in Moscow, his future destination and the fate of his family remain the subject of speculation, especially after their attempt to obtain permanent residency in the UAE failed, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.