Russian sappers sent for Palmyra demining

The first group of Russian sappers have been dispatched to Syria to conduct the mine clearing operation in Palmyra. It is expected that the total number of Russian sappers will reach 100.

"As soon as our and the Syrian military complete the terrain reconnaissance, the mine clearing operation in Palmyra will begin. The operation is assumed to last for at least several months," TASS cited a source as saying.

The decision to send Russian sappers to Syria was taken after a telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad.