Damascus, August 14 (RHC)-- Russian military forces have intercepted and targeted five unmanned aerial vehicles as they were flying in the skies near its strategic Hmeimim airbase in Syria's western coastal province of Latakia. 

Syria’s official news agency SANA reported that the reconnaissance drones were hit mid-air and at a safe distance from the base on Monday evening.  There were no reports of causalities or material damage in the area. 

The development came only a day after Russian air defenses at Hmeimim air base shot down two combat drones launched by foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants operating in Syria's de-escalation zone of Idlib. 

The head of the Russian Center for Syrian Reconciliation, Major General Alexei Tsygankov, said the incident resulted in no casualties or material damage, and the operations at the base were not disrupted. 

Late last week, the Russian military announced that its forces in Syria had downed a drone flying near Hmeimim airbase. 

Russian media outlets reported that the drone, launched from territory controlled by Takfiri militants, had been shut down after it targeted the military site. 

Russia has been helping Syrian forces in ongoing battles across the conflict-plagued Arab country.  The Russian military assistance, which began in September 2015 at the official request of the Syrian government, has proven effective as Syrians continue to recapture key areas from Daesh and other terrorist groups across the country with the backing of Russian air cover.