Russia downs drone near military base in Syria

The Russian military sais on Monday it shot down an unidentified drone approaching the Russian Hmeimim air base in Syria's Latakia province.

A statement carried on Monday by Russian news agencies reported that there were no casualties or damage to the base.

The Hmeimim air base serves as the main hub for Russian operations in Syria.

It was the latest attack by drones on Russian military forces in Syria. In January, the Russian military claimed to have shot down seven of thirteen drones that attempted to bomb the air base, and forced the others to land.

In March, suspected rebel drones attacked the Hmeimim air base, but Russian forces said they managed to abort the attacks.

A month later, Russian air defences intercepted another military drone attack on the air base in western Syria.

Russia joined the war in 2015, after forces loyal to 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.

Russian airstrikes have killed thousands of civilians, with human rights groups saying that planes have targeted hospitals and other civilian centres.