US denies aiding drone attack on Russian bases

MOSCOW – The Pentagon has denied any involvement in a recent series of drone attacks on Russian bases in Syria after Russia's Defense Ministry hinted that the US military may have aided the attackers.

Marine Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway, a Pentagon spokesman, said Tuesday that "any suggestion that US or coalition forces played a role in an attack on a Russian base is without any basis in fact and is utterly irresponsible."

Russia's Defense Ministry earlier said the attacks would have required assistance from a country possessing satellite navigation technology. It noted a "strange coincidence" of a US military intelligence plane flying over the Mediterranean near the two bases at the moment of the attack.

The ministry said its forces repelled a series of drone attacks Saturday on the Hemeimeem air base and a naval facility in Tartus. It said that out of the 13 drones involved, seven were shot down and six were forced to land without inflicting any damage.