Russian airbase in Syria hit by coordinated missile, drone attack following weapon transfer to Hezbollah

Russian military sources confirmed that the Hmeimim airbase in Syria was struck in a missile and drone attack, which occurred shortly after an Iranian aircraft offloaded weapons for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

According to a statement by SyrianOSINT on X, the strikes targeted a weapons depot at the base, Caliber.Az reports.

‼️Reports of a drone attack to be taking place on the #Russian Khmeimim Airbase, near #Jableh, northwestern #Syria. Air defense systems are active and are trying to intercept incoming drones (unknown origin as of yet). pic.twitter.com/bevlEXbvxy

— SyrianOSINT (@SyrianOsint) February 18, 2025

A significant number of explosions followed, marking a rare incident in the region. "Massive explosions after Israel’s first-ever strike on a Russian airbase in Syria," noted Visegrád 24.

The Russian air defence systems were reportedly activated but were unable to intercept the incoming missiles. SyrianOSINT also reported attempts to intercept unidentified drones, while air defence systems on the base worked to target the incoming threats.

Syria News added that anti-aircraft installations at the Hmeimim airbase were engaged in combat with the unknown drones over the base’s airspace.

BREAKING:

Huge explosions after Israel’s first ever strike on a Russian air base in Syria

Israeli hit a weapons depot at the Khmeimim Air Base moments after an Iranian plane unloaded weapons for Hezbollah

Russian air defenses were activated but failed to intercept the missiles pic.twitter.com/anDm0Vch6g

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 3, 2024

In addition to the Hmeimim attack, there were reports of drones targeting the Syrian Naval College in Jableh, a coastal city in western Syria.

The situation remains under investigation, with further developments expected.

By Aghakazim Guliyev