Russia 'intercepts drone attack' on its main airbase in Syria

Military drones have attacked a Russian airbase in western Syria, prompting air defence forces to intercept the offensive, Syrian news website Orient News  reported.

The unmanned aircraft designed to explode on impact attempted to target Hmeimim air base in Latakia province late on Tuesday, sources told the pro-opposition outlet.

"Air defences at Hmeimim intercepted the drones that tried to attack the air base. They were downed before they could target the base," the sources said.

They added that "loud explosions were heard" in the nearby towns of Qardaha and Jebla.

Orient News published images purportedly showing anti-aircraft missiles shooting down the drones.

Russian state-run Sputnik News confirmed on Tuesday that "unidentified airborne targets" had been destroyed by air defence forces at Hmeimim.

The reports failed to determine the source of the drones, but rebel groups have carried out similar attacks in recent months.

Last month, suspected rebel drones carried out an attempted attack on the base, which is Moscow's largest in Syria.

Russia joined the Syrian war in 2015, after forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad suffered a series of military defeats against the rebels.

Since Russian airstrikes began, regime forces have managed to push the opposition back to a number of enclaves but the cost has been devastating for civilians.

Moscow also operates a naval facility in the city of Tartus.