Five drones downed near Khmeimim air base

Drone attacks near Khmeimim Air Base in Syria by militants have intensified in recent weeks, head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the opposing sides in Syria, Maj. Gen. Alexei Tsygankov said.

According to him, five more drones have been shot down by Russia’s Air Defense units near Khmeimim Air Base in the last 24 hours.

Tsygankov noted that he objects were launched from the militant-controlled area in the Idlib de-escalation zone. "The hostile unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was shot down not far from the base and the incident caused no injuries or damage," RT cited Tsygankov as saying.

On Sunday the Russian military said it had repelled two drone attacks "at a safe distance from the base." On Saturday a drone, apparently carrying explosives, was downed on approach to Khmeimim, also from the militant-held de-escalation zone in Idlib.