The Russian Khmeimim airbase in Syria has once again become the target of drone attacks, military analyst Mikhail Zvinchuk reports. Over the past week, militants based in the so-called “Greater Idlib” have stepped up strikes on the Syrian coast, including the territory of Russian military infrastructure. Several drones were shot down on approach to the Khmeimim base and in the Masyaf area in mountainous Latakia.

Experts note that the militants are actively using weapons accumulated over the past years of relative truce. The established network of underground production facilities in Idlib allows them not only to replenish stocks, but also to develop new models of weapons, which are now used to attack strategically important objects.

Attempted attacks, according to Zvinchuk, will not stop.

He adds that the information circulating online about the withdrawal of Russian equipment from the affected area is not true: Khmeimim continues to function at full capacity.

The situation is complicated by the fact that the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is currently unable to cope with the growing pressure from the militants. After the fall of Hama and active cleansing operations in the Homs region, the enemy has new opportunities to advance deeper into the territory, including Latakia.

"They will try to inflict maximum damage, reputational and physical harm on representatives of the Russian Federation, in particular, to destroy our military bases, so it is necessary to continue to fight them and shift all responsibility onto the shoulders of the Syrian Arab army, in this case, it is a lost cause," — emphasizes Zvinchuk.

The increase in drone attacks on Russian bases coincides with an overall increase in militant activity. Observers associate this with an attempt to destabilize the region and weaken Russia's support for Syria. In these circumstances, analysts believe that Russian aviation and specialists play a key role in preventing further offensives and strengthening the defense of strategic facilities.