Syria: Russian fighter planes take off from Hmeimin air base Russian fighter planes took off on Wednesday from the Hmeimin Air Base, in the northwest of Syria, to strike targets on Syrian soil. Russia says it is targeting "terrorist" groups, including Islamic State (IS). But rebels and their supporters abroad accuse Moscow of primarily targeting other groups to defend the Syrian regime. IMAGES / REFILE TO CORRECT DATE (16, NOT 15 DECEMBER)