Russia thwarts drone attacks on its bases in Syria

By Emre Gurkan Abay

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian military early Saturday prevented an attack by 13 drones on its Khmeimim air and Tartus naval bases in Syria, defense ministry said on Monday.

The ministry said in a statement that 10 drones attempted to attack Khmeimim Air Base, while other three to Tartus.

It added the attack was foiled by the Russian air systems and that the bases were operating in a routine mode.

The ministry on Jan. 4 said two Russian military personnel were killed during a mortar attack on the Khmeimim Air Base on Dec. 31, 2017.

Russian Kommersant newspaper had reported on Jan. 4 that seven Russian military planes had been destroyed and more than 10 military personnel killed in the attack. The Russian Defense Ministry rejected the report, calling it a "fake news”.

On Dec. 11, President Vladimir Putin ordered the start of a withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria, adding that the Tartus and Khmeimim bases would still be in use.