Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on September 27, 2021, that the Russian military successfully destroyed a drone (UAV) that was planning to attack an important Russian military base in western Syria.
According to Rear Admiral Vadim Kulit, deputy director of the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria, the drone was launched by the rebels from the de-escalation zone in Idlib province towards Russia’s Hmeimim airbase in the province Latakia (Syria), near the Mediterranean coast.
However, the Pantsir-S air defense system on duty at the base promptly intercepted the aforementioned UAV.
“The Pantsir-S air defense system destroyed an air target from a long distance from the Russian base. There were no human casualties or material damage in the incident. Russia’s Hmeimim airbase is operating as planned,” Rear Admiral Vadim Kulit told reporters.
Pantsir-S1 is a missile anti-aircraft artillery system that can destroy short- and medium-range targets. The complex has successfully shot down missiles and low-altitude drones in the fight against terrorism in Syria.
Hmeymim airbase has been attacked by rebels with UAVs many times, but most of the attacks were prevented by Russian air defenses.