MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian Defense Ministry categorically denied on Tuesday reports of construction of a new Russian military base in the historical part of Syria's ancient city of Palmyra, saying a temporary camp hosting Russian sappers had been set up in the area upon approval by Syrian authorities.
"There are no 'new Russian bases' in Syria's Palmyra. Satellite pictures of the area, allegedly provided by UNESCO and circulated by the Associated Press news agency, show a temporary camp hosting sappers from the Russian mine-clearing center, who have been involved in the demining of the historical part of Palmyra, and who are currently continue mine-clearing operation in the rest of the city," the ministry's spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said.
According to Konashenkov, the placement of this temporary camp until the end of the mine-clearing mission has been coordinated with the Syrian authorities.
