Moscow denies reports that Syrian insurgents blew up seven warplanes, but acknowledges two casualties

Defense Ministry officials say two soldiers died on December 31, when insurgents reportedly attacked Russia’s Hmeymim Airbase in Syria. Moscow says a “mobile guerrilla group” fired mortars at the base.

Officials refuted an earlier report by the newspaper Kommersant that the attack destroyed seven military aircraft, though the Defense Ministry has not clarified if the planes suffered lesser damage. Moscow says it’s increased security at the airbase.

• On January 3, the news agency Interfax reported that two Russian pilots died when their helicopter crashed in Syria on December 31. SinceMoscow’s military intervention began in September 2015, more than 40 Russian soldiers have perished.
• In early December 2017, President Putin announced plans to withdraw the majority of Russian troops from Syria, leaving limited contingents at Hmeymim Airbase and Russia’s naval base in Tartus.