- Palmyra’s state is better than expected but it is too early for restoration works — expert
- UNESCO approves Russia’s resolution on restoration of Palmyra
- Russian Defense Ministry plans to set up field hospital in Palmyra
- Russian sappers demined over 180 hectares of territory in Palmyra — minister
- Russian planes dealt 2,000 strikes on terrorists during operation to regain Palmyra
- Russia’s Night Hunter copters used in operation to free Palmyra — Defense Ministry
MOSCOW, April 21. /TASS/. Clearing of mines has begun in the residential areas of Palmyra, the chief of Russia's Corps of Engineers, Lieutenant-General Yuri Stavitsky said during a televised linkup with the Kremlin on Thursday.
"At present the units of the Corps of Engineers have gotten down to mine-clearing in the residential district of Palmyra and at the airport," he said. "We've examine 367 buildings, 40 ha of territory, and 9.5 km of roads. Our soldiers have already defused 1,432 explosive objects.
Gen Stavitsky said the mine-clearing effort was proceeding as planned.
"All in all, we'll have to do mine clearing on an urban area of 560 hectares," he said. "Our work is complicated by an abundance of body-trap mines left behind by the militants."