In Syria, about 10 civilians were killed in the latest Western coalition airstrike. The US Air Force shelled the city of Tabqa and the suburbs of Raqqa. This region is under the control of ISIS, but there is no information as yet on casualties among the militants. Meanwhile, Assad's government troops, with support from Russian VKS Forces took out almost two dozen militants in a battle over the city of Deir ez-Zor. ISIS had decided to make it their so-called "capital".

The soldiers destroyed the terrorists' positions, and blew up the tunnel they were using to supply weapons. And now, reporting from this city, still under siege, correspondent Evgeny Poddubny. These are the terrorists of the so-called Islamic state, at their vantage point near Deir ez-Zor. The southern outskirts of the city. Their positions are clearly visible from the foxholes dug out by Republican Guard troops. These militants don't know it yet, but in a few seconds, they will die. The mortar squad hits the the target on the first try, which rarely happens.

The government's forces are low on ammo, so the soldiers must learn how to shoot accurately. Their troops in Deir ez-Zor were forced to retreat only once, when the Western coalition struck Syrian government forces. Western planes bombed the troops for over an hour last December. And ISIS militants went on the attack immediately.

As a result, the terrorists were able to cut off the division based out of the Deir ez-Zor airfield. Now, government military divisions are trying to shell the militants out from their vantage points, in order to regain control the road to the airfield. This position is located in Deir ez-Zor's old cemetery. Tombstones are used as fortifications. The enemy is just across from us. Now the Air Force will start shooting at the vantage points, where the terrorists of the so-called Islamic State are located. This is so that the Republican Guard troops can drive out the militants of the pseudo-Caliphate and take control of these strategically vital vantage points.





The hits by Russian VKS planes are spot-on, but ISIS militants' positions are quite well prepared. There are underground shelters, foxholes and dugouts. Even during the Air Force's active combat, they continue to shell the government's troops. Here they fire from a tripod-mounted antitank grenade launcher, striking the position where our camera crew is located.

On the frontline, the troops are led by the Republican Guard General, Issam Zahreddine. He is a living legend in Syria. He is always at the front, and he knows all his soldiers by name. During a short lull in the battle literally using his fingers, he explains what he thinks of ISIS: The bricks are my troops; the rocks are ISIS. This is what's happening; we are turning the terrorists into dust. It is not in vain that Deir ez-Zor is called the "terrorists' cemetery." Every time the militants' attack, it ends with great losses for the pseudo-Caliphate.

Just in fact, over 40 radical Islamists were taken out due to the actions of the Air Force and the artillery. The city's garrison has been surrounded for over 3 years. Supplies are delivered by helicopter only. ISIS fighters are still unable to take over those parts of the city controlled by government forces. This is because the Republican Guard troops built this network of strong fortifications in the north of the city. And the ISIS terrorists don't have the strength to penetrate it.

Full-size foxholes, dugouts, and equipped firing positions — this defense line was created by Syrian troops, even as they were being shelled by the militants. The end result is that it saved the city. Now, the terrorists have lost their desire to attack. Every time they've tried, they've left behind 10-15 corpses.

Now they have lookouts up on high, and reserves in the rear who try to bite us, but they get it in the teeth each time. These tunnels are used by government troops and by the terrorists of the so-called Islamic state. They're used for undercover relocation, and for organizing surprise attacks. And also, to blow up buildings where the enemy's positions are located. There are only experienced soldiers here. They know the surroundings, know how to save ammo and to shoot only if they see a target. This is a rare instance in Syria. There are a lot of underground tunnels — ours and theirs. This one was dug out by our soldiers.

To safely approach a lookout position, where the militants are clearly visible, but they can't see us. We were able to kill an ISIS sniper, who killed some civilians and injured a child. The garrison's soldiers are, of course, low on ammo. That's why there are a lot of homemade weapons on the frontline. This is a home-made version of a grenade launcher. They put a 23 mm cartridge from an anti-aircraft mount into the barrel attachment. The dispenser magazine is loaded with blanks, and here's the result. The militants have even tried using non-standard equipment.

The pseudo-Caliphate must seize Deir ez-Zor at all costs. These vehicles are used by the so-called Islamic State militants to crash through Syrian army troop positions. It's a bulldozer completely armored in steel sheets There is dirt in between the steel sheets. This vehicle is practically impenetrable. The troops continue to attack the terrorists' positions. Within hours, they plan to take back control of the road to the airport. But most of all everyone is waiting when the troops in Palmyra will be able to unblock the besieged city.