"Russian aviation and Special Operations Forces were instrumental in battering Daesh in the Palmyra area," he said.
#SYRIA Russian aviation and Special Forces made a decisive contribution in the defeating of ISIS grouping in Palmyra
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) 3 марта 2017 г.
He noted that the operation involved advanced Ka-52 helicopters which demonstrated high efficiency in the conditions of desert and mountains.
"The city has been completely liberated. Syrian government troops have taken the dominant terrain to the north and south of Palmyra and are advancing eastward," Rudskoi said.
He said Syrian combat engineers are checking building for explosives.
"Syrian combat engineers, trained by Russian specialists, have started defusing mines and explosives left by the terrorists," he said.
Rudskoi underscored that the success in Palmyra was achieved despite Daesh constantly getting reinforcements from Mosul and Raqqa.
#SYRIA Success in Palmyra was reached despite constant reinforcement of insurgent’s grouping
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) 3 марта 2017 г.
"The militants lost over 1,000 people (dead and wounded). Nineteen battle tanks, 37 armored vehicles, 98 pickup trucks with mounted heavy weaponry, and over 100 cars were destroyed," he said.
He further pointed out that Russian jets have not delivered airstrikes on historic monuments that have not yet been destroyed by the terrorist group in order to preserve the ancient city's legacy.
#SYRIA Strikes were not conducted in the area of historical monuments of Ancient Palmyra in order to preserve cultural heritage
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) 3 марта 2017 г.
"The results achieved were made possible thanks to the combined effective planning and timely concentrated efforts between the command of the Russian group in Syria and the Syrian armed forces," he stressed.
Rudskoi said the operation had been planned by Russian military advisers.
The Syrian Army regained control over Palmyra earlier on Thursday with support of the Russian aircraft operating in Syria.
Watch #SAA raising the Syrian flag in #Palmyra #Syria pic.twitter.com/SCl9Q5Uu3H
— maytham (@maytham956) 3 марта 2017 г.
Daesh seized Palmyra, which was the capital of the Palmyrene Empire and one of the richest cities of the Roman Empire, in May 2015. Terrorists destroyed a number of historic sights designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Arch of Triumph, the Temple of Baalshamin and the Temple of Bel. Jihadists also looted the national museum and the famous Palmyra’s necropolis.
Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the December Daesh offensive on Palmyra. According to the Russian leader, the situation in Palmyra was a result of discordant actions of different players in Syria.
Since 2011, Syria has been engulfed in a civil war, with government forces fighting against numerous opposition and terrorist groups, including al-Nusra Front and Daesh, banned in a range of countries, including Russia.
Moscow has been conducting a counter-terrorist campaign in Syria since September 30, 2015, at President Bashar Assad's request.
