"On August 9, the air defense systems of the Hmeymim airbase detected an aerial drone launched from the territory controlled by illegal armed groups in the north of Latakia province," the center said in a statement, adding that the drone was intercepted at a safe distance from the base.
This is not the first time Russian military downs drones launched at the Hmeymim airbase. Previous month, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian Air Force destroyed a UAV, launched from the territory under the control of illegal armed formations in the north of the province of Latakia.
Such incidents occurred also in June, as well as in May and April, when drones of unknown origin were detected and destroyed by Russian airspace control units northeast of the air base.
READ MORE: Russian Air Defenses Intercept Projectile Targeting Hmeymim Base in Syria
Russian military had been deployed in Syria in the fall of 2015, after Syrian government asked for Moscow's assistance in the fight against terrorism.
