Russia claims US took control of drones over Syria, flew them at Russian base

MOSCOW — Russia’s deputy defense minister claims Thursday that a US military aircraft took control of 13 drones over Syria and attempted to have them attack a Russian military base there, but the drones were downed before they could reach their target.

Alexander Fomin says the drones were heading toward Hmeimeem air base in Latakia province when a US Boeing P-8 Poseidon flying over the Mediterranean “took control” of them. He doesn’t say who the drones belonged to or when the alleged incident happened.

Fomin, speaking at a security conference in Beijing in remarks carried by Russian news agencies, says the drones were destroyed before they could reach the base. There is no US comment on the claim.

Fomin’s comments mark the first time Moscow has directly accused the United States of coordinating an attack on Russian assets in Syria.

Asked about Fomin’s statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, says the information was “very troubling.” He adds that he “doesn’t exclude” that Putin could raise the issue when he meets with US President Donald Trump in Paris when they both attend November 11 events marking 100 years since Armistice Day.

— AP