Russia News, December 15, 2025, Avia.pro. Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia after his overthrow in December 2024, has returned to his medical roots by studying ophthalmology, according to the British newspaper The Guardian. Having trained as an ophthalmologist in London before coming to power, Assad is now deepening his knowledge, possibly with the intention of treating Moscow's elite in the future, according to the newspaper's sources. He is also actively studying Russian, which is helping him adapt to his new life in exile.

According to journalists, Assad is not experiencing financial difficulties, having managed to transfer a significant portion of his wealth to Russia, avoiding Western sanctions imposed after 2011. His family lives a "quiet life of luxury" in a gated community on Rublyovka, where they may be neighbors with former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. The family avoids the public eye: they are not involved in politics, do not maintain social media accounts, and rarely appear in public. Assad's wife, Asma, has focused on personal interests—fitness, beauty salons, and shopping—reflecting their retreat from their former political activities.

The family's only public appearance was to attend the graduation of their daughter, Zein al-Assad, who received a degree in international relations from MGIMO on June 30, 2025.