Russian military removes all mines, bombs in historic Palmyra

Russian engineers have successfully completed clearing the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra of explosives left behind by Daesh, Russia Today reported Friday. 

Nearly 3,000 explosive devices on around 230 hectares (2.3 sq km) of the World Heritage site have been defused.

"The task of clearing the architectural and historical part of Palmyra of explosives has been fully completed," head of the Russian Army's engineering unit Yury Stavitsky reported from Syria to President Vladimir Putin.

Starting from April 2, Russian engineers with the help of Uran-6 robots and specially trained dogs have cleared 234 hectares of land, 23 kilometers (14 miles) of roads and 10 architectural objects, Stavitsky said, speaking to Russia's Commander-in-Chief via a TV link-up.

In total, 2991 explosive devices, including 432 makeshift bombs, have been defused, the military official reported. Ninety-eight Russian servicemen have been involved in the effort, he added.

Engineers from the Russian Army's International Anti-mine Center were deployed to Palmyra following the Syrian government's request to help de-mine the city. The City of Palms was recaptured by the Syrian Army backed by Russian forces on March 27.

Russian sappers have been working not only at the historic site of Palmyra, but also helped to de-mine the modern city nearby. 

Nearly 370 buildings have been checked, the military official reported, adding that more than 1,400 explosives have been destroyed. The engineers will continue working in residential areas of Palmyra, Stavitsky said, adding that some 560 hectares (5.6 sq km) of urban areas and an airport still need to be combed for terrorists' explosives. 

Source ; MENA