Russia has abandoned its Tartus naval base in Syria since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, satellite images have shown.

Five Russian warships, including three frigates and at least one submarine, were photographed in Tartus port last week but had left by Monday.

The warships were in a holding pattern 10 miles off the Syrian coast, out of range of rebel artillery and drone attacks, images released by US-based Maxar showed.

MarineTraffic data also showed no ship had docked at or left Tartus since Monday.

Moscow has not commented, but well-connected military bloggers and propagandists said the Kremlin had withdrawn its warship from Tartus.