Russian military shoots down unidentified drones at Hmeimim air base in Syria

“The air defense system of the Russian airbase destroyed all targets” flying over Hmeimim air base, a Russian military official said on condition of anonymity.

The official added that there were no reports of damage or casualties as a result of the incident, which took place on June 30.

On May 21, Russian's military said it had shot down an “unknown drone” that came close to Hmeimim air base.

“There are neither casualties nor physical damage. Russia's Hmeimim air base is operating as normal,” the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that explosions had been heard from the base's vicinity, which appeared to be from Russian air defenses.

In January, Russia said that its troops have successfully repelled multiple drone attacks launched by militants on its naval and air bases in Syria.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri terrorist groups that are wreaking havoc in the country.

Russia has been helping Syrian forces in an ongoing battle in the province of Dayr al-Zawr as the Daesh terrorist group struggles to keep its last positions in eastern Syria.

The Russian military assistance, which began in September 2015 at the official request of the Syrian government, has proved effective as the Syrians continue to recapture key areas from Daesh and other terrorist groups across the country with the backing of Russian air cover.

On May 21, the General Command of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces announced in a statement that complete security was restored to Damascus and its countryside after al-Hajar al-Aswad district and al-Yarmouk camp had been totally purged of Daesh terrorists.

The development was preceded by flushing the Takfiris out of the towns of Yalda, Babbila and Beit Sahem on the southern outskirts of Damascus.