Russian Forces in Syria on High Alert After Drone Strike on Khmeimim Base

The Khmeimim Airbase in Syria, which houses Russia’s Aerospace Forces, came under drone attack, Russian military blogger Oleg Blokhin reported on February 18.

According to Blokhin, a combat alert was declared at 2:30 am.

“The alert was categorized as a 'ground enemy attack.' The Pantsir air defense system responded almost immediately. Gunfire and explosions were heard,” Blokhin wrote.

Shooting reportedly subsided after about an hour, though the combat alert was not lifted for some time. Other sources, including Russian media VChK-OGPU and Astra, also reported the attack, but without providing details.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has not issued an official confirmation at the time of publication.

Blokhin suggested that the attack was likely carried out by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group, which overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime and took control of the country.

Following Assad’s escape to Russia, Moscow has been negotiating with Syria’s new leadership to maintain its military presence at Khmeimim Airbase and the Tartus Naval Base. On February 12, Russian leader Vladimir Putin held his first phone call with Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, reaffirming Russia’s commitment to supporting Syria’s economic recovery.

Just two days after the call, a plane carrying hundreds of billions of Syrian pounds landed at Damascus Airport, reportedly flown in from Russia, which had been printing Syrian currency under Assad’s rule.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg sources indicate that Russia is close to securing a deal with Syria’s new authorities to maintain a limited military presence in the country. In exchange, Moscow may help combat ISIS militants operating in eastern Syria.

Earlier, reports emerged that Russia had already withdrawn some military equipment from Syria as it reallocated resources for its war in Ukraine.