On Sunday, March 27, Syrian government forces managed to completely take control of Palmyra. This strategically important city has been held by militants of the Islamic State terrorist organization banned in Russia since May 2015. The operation of the army of the country's President Bashar al-Assad took place with the active support of Russian aviation, which carried out 40 sorties in the city area during the day from March 26 to 27. The Russian military will also help in demining the historical part of the city, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his Syrian counterpart on the capture of the city, and Assad, in turn, called the operation in Palmyra “proof of the effectiveness of the Syrian army and its allies.” Now the way is open for Assad's forces to advance in the eastern province of Deir ez-Zor

Photo: Valery Sharifulin/TASS

The ruins of the blown up Arc de Triomphe in the historical part of the city

Photo: RIA Novosti The ancient part of Palmyra liberated by the Syrian army and the Desert Falcons militia

Photo: Valery Sharifulin/TASS

Ruins of the blown-up Temple of Baal Shamin. The temple, built in the 1st century, was dedicated to the god Baal. It was one of the most valuable monuments of ancient Palmyra. The temple was blown up by terrorists in August 2015

Photo: Valery Sharifulin/TASS Marble Theater, where militants of the Islamic State, a terrorist organization banned in Russia, carried out show executions

Photo: Valery Sharifulin/TASS Great Colonnade in the historical part of the city

Photo: Valery Sharifulin/TASS Historical part of the city. Architectural Museum Complex of Palmyra - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Photo: Valery Sharifulin/TASS Large colonnade in the historical part of the city

Photo: Valery Sharifulin/TASS On one of the city streets after the end of the operation to liberate Palmyra

Photo: Valery Sharifulin/TASS A Syrian army soldier on one of the city streets after the end of the operation to liberate Palmyra

Ruins after ISIS: what Palmyra liberated from terrorists looks like