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On October 4, an unidentified aerial target was intercepted near Hmeimim Air Base by Russian air defense systems.
According to the reports by the local Jableh News agency, at least one target, likely a drone, was shot down over the town of Jableh in the Syrian province of Latakia. The air defense system actuation at the Russian Khmeimim airbase was reported.
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The attack attempt took place at the moment when a USAF RC-135U was circling around 50km from the Russian base.
The RC-135U is specifically configured to gather electronic and signals intelligence, with a particular focus on collecting data regarding adversaries’ radars and air defense networking nodes.
This type of aircraft collects information about electronic signatures to help commanders build so-called “electronic orders of battle” detailing the disposition of an opponent’s air defenses. This includes detecting and classifying threat emitters, and pinpointing their locations, among other electronic intelligence-gathering capabilities.
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The US reconnaissance aircraft was spotted over the Syrian coast for the second day in a row. It was flying over the Hmeimim airfield and the Russian naval base in Tartus, having made about 18 flight circles.
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A week ago, on September 27, the Russian Hmeimim airbase in Syria was targeted with another drone launched by militants in Greater Idlib. It was intercepted by the Russian Pantsir-S air defense system.
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Militant attacks on Russian facilities in Syria do not go unpunished. The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) and the Syrian Arab Army continue to strike at militant positions in Greater Idlib.
Early in the morning of October 4, SAA artillery units targeted militant positions near the city of Kabani in the north of Latakia province. A harsh response of the VKS is likely to follow in the coming hours.
