Global Geopolitical Series: Russian airbase in Syria’s Khmeimim suffered drone attack (again)

Russian biggest airbase in Syria in the Khmeimim province once again came under Drone attack this week, according to reports by Russian defense ministry. According to airbase spokesman, “After the fall of dark, the means of airspace control at the Russian Khmeimim base detected small-sized aerial targets of unknown origin in the distance from the airfield…….All of the targets were destroyed by the antiaircraft fire means of the Russian airbase.”

This same base came under massive drone attack in January, which was reportedly carried out by militants. The militants launched their assault during the night using 10 unmanned combat aerial vehicles, while three more attempted a strike against the Russian maritime logistics base located in the city of Tartus. According to Russian defense ministry, all of the drones were detected by anti-aircraft defense systems well in advance and seven of them were then successfully shot down by the Russian Panzer-S air-defense system. The Russian radio electronic warfare specialists also managed to override the operating systems of six more drones, and eventually gained control over the drones. Three of them were destroyed when they hit the ground, while another three were landed intact outside the base controlled by Russian forces.

However, this week’s attack reportedly involved two drones armed with projectiles launched by militants from either Northern Latakia or Southern Idlib province of Syria. No casualties are reported from the incident.