The Russian Defense Ministry says Russian demining experts have arrived in Syria to start clearing mines in the ancient town of Palmyra.
Syrian troops, backed by Russian air strikes, recently retook Palmyra which had been under Islamic State control for 10 months.
Russia has pledged to help the Syrian government with clearing the archaeological sites of mines.
The Defense Ministry said in a statement that the first demining group landed early on March 31 at Russia's base in Syria.
It was not immediately clear when the Russians would get to Palmyra.
The demining is expected to take several months.
