A Russian defense source in Syria reported that air defense systems near the Khmeimim airbase intercepted and destroyed two artisanal drones launched by militant groups from the Idlib de-escalation zone. The assertion circulated through the Russian news agency TASS, which quoted the official as saying the attacks were attempts by illegal armed formations to strike the base from the northeast corridor.
The spokesperson provided a precise timestamp for the incident, noting that at approximately 22:10 local time on July 20, 2022, unmanned aerial vehicles were detected approaching the Khmeimim area from the northeast. He stated that two militant drones were shot down at a distance of about two kilometers from the airbase, indicating a close protective response in real time.
The official emphasized that the Khmeimim airbase continued its regular operations in the aftermath of the incident. There were no reported casualties among personnel, and no damage to infrastructure or property was noted on the ground.
In related news, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that a meeting of the Expert Working Group of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, along with its Dialogue Partners, took place near Moscow in Kubinka. The session focused on counter-terrorism cooperation and broader security concerns, underscoring ongoing military-to-military dialogues that aim to manage threats in the region and reinforce allied capabilities.