Russian sappers discover over 120 explosive devices in Syria’s Palmyra

Russian sappers began demining the historical part and residential quarters in Syria’s Palmyra. Within the first day of their work they found more than 120 explosive devices and two ammunition depots, Colonel Valery Ovdiyenko, commander of the mine clearance detachment of the Russian Armed Forces’ International Mine Action Center, said, TASS reports.

"The detachment’s personnel has begun demining Palmyra’s historical part and residential areas. Work has been arranged on the outskirts of the city and in its historical part and also inside it. Within the first five or six hours of work, the personnel defused more than 120 explosive objects," he said.

According to Ovdiyenko, two ammunition depots have already been found in the city. He noted that the sappers are doing their utmost to preserve the infrastructure, including the city’s historical part. "Everything that can be taken out destroyed out of the city, is taken out of it," he noted.

The sappers are to check about 900 hectares of territory. It is planned to complete the demining operation within a month or a month and a half. "There are many landmines in the city. The facilities of historical significance have been mined as well," Ovdiyenko added.