Russian warplanes have bombed targets in and around the Syrian city of Palmyra, Syrian state television said Tuesday, in Moscow’s first strikes against ISIL in the area.

Russian warplanes have bombed targets in and around the Syrian city of Palmyra, Syrian state television said Tuesday, in Moscow's first strikes against the so-called 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL) takfiri group in the area.

"The Russian air force in coordination with the Syrian air force targeted positions held by the ISIL group in and around the city of Palmyra," state television said, citing a military source.

It said the strikes had destroyed "20 armored vehicles, three ammunition warehouses and three rocket launchers."

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said the Palmyra strikes were launched overnight and killed at least 15 ISIL gunmen and injured dozens more.

ISIL seized control of Palmyra in May and has realized international fears by destroying some of the most prized sites in the UNESCO World Heritage listed ancient city.