Moscow flies a special mine-sweeping unit to Palmyra

The Russian defense minister Friday put on a plane to Palmyra an army unit based at the Chkalovsky near Moscow that specializes in clearing mines. The unit is assigned to defuse the mines, explosives, IEDs and booby-traps rigged in buildings and streets, which the Islamic State left behind when they were driven out of the Syrian heritage city last week after a 10-month occupation.  Along with its equipment, the unit has also brought dogs trained to sniff out explosives. DEBKAfile adds: Russian transport planes began landing at Palmyra airport last Wednesday.