Russia Ready to Send Experts to Palmyra to Evaluate City's Condition

Russia has created a working group of experts to evaluate the condition of Syria's ancient city of Palmyra, following its liberation from the terrorists, and ready to send it to the Middle Eastern nation, Russian Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky said Tuesday.

LONDON (Sputnik) — According to Medinsky, Russia maintains contacts with UNESCO and is ready to participate in both evaluation of Palmyra's condition and its restoration.

"We are ready. The working group has been created by [Hermitage Museum director] Mikhail Piotrovsky," Medinsky told RIA Novosti.

He added that the next step should be taken by the UN cultural body UNESCO that should organize the activities of the working group in Palmyra.

Palmyra and its historic ruins have been under control of Daesh terrorist group since May 2015.

On March 27, the Syrian army, backed by Russian Aerospace Forces and local militias, liberated the city of Palmyra from Daesh. The terrorist group, which is outlawed in many countries, including Russia, has destroyed part of Palmyra's historic ruins, which are a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, while controlling the city.

On Friday, Russia introduced to the UNESCO Executive Board a draft proposal on the role of the organization in preserving Palmyra and other Syria's historic sites.