Russian engineers have cleared around 180 hectares (about two square kilometers) in the ancient city of Palmyra, defusing some 3,000 bombs, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.

Russian engineers have cleared around 180 hectares (about two square kilometers) in the ancient city of Palmyra, defusing some 3,000 bombs, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.

“Beginning April 1, over 30 kilometers of roads and more than 182 hectares of land have been demined; 2,987 explosive objects have been unearthed,” Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at a teleconference at the National Defense Control Center.