Russia says only 23 US missiles hit Syrian airbase

The Russian Defense Ministry said the US attack on a Syrian military airport was ineffective, with only 40% of the missiles hitting their targets.

Image of Shayrat base after being attacked by US airstrikes

"According to our sources, only 23 of them hit the Syrian airbase,"RTquoteIgor Konashenkov, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, said yesterday, adding that he did not yet know the impact points of the remaining 36 cruise missiles.

The attack on Shayrat air base in Homs province destroyed a warehouse, a training facility, a canteen, six Mig-23 aircraft at the repair yard and a radar station. The runway, taxiways and Syrian aircraft at the parking area were not destroyed, the spokesman said.

Location of Shayrat base. Graphics: ABCNews

The Russian Defense Ministry accused the US action of "flagrantly violating" a memorandum Moscow signed in Washington in 2015 to prevent incidents in Syrian airspace. All justifications for the attack "are baseless statements," according toKonashenkov.

Russia announced today that it is suspending a memorandum of understanding signed with the United States in 2015 on preventing air clashes and ensuring flight safety in Syria.

US President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike on Shayrat Air Base on the morning of April 7, with 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from two destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean. This was a response to what he called a "very brutal attack" by the Syrian government on April 4, suspected of using chemical weapons in the town.Khan Sheikhoun,Idlib province killed more than 80 people.

Syria strongly denied being behind the attack.The Russian Defense Ministry also asked the US yesterday to provide evidence that the Syrian army launched a chemical weapons attack in the town of Khan Sheikhoun.

The power of Tomahawk missiles. Click on the image to see details. Graphics: VNE

According to VNE