ISIS terrorists want to destroy as many ancient monuments of the Syrian Palmyra as possible before leaving the city. This is the conclusion of the Russian Defense Ministry. It showed video footages taken by drones. They clearly show the consequences of the militant activity. Explosives are actively brought into the city.

Meanwhile, the Syrian army pursues an offensive. It is already 20 kilometers away from the city. Alexei Baranov reporting on the hope to save what barbarians haven't yet destroyed. The drone of Russian Ministry of Defense went several kilometers and is now hovering over ancient Palmyra. Aerial reconnaissance only confirmed the data obtained by the intelligence services of the Syrian regular army. Two-thousand-year-old city is again being destroyed and looted by vandals. It happens for the second time just in this past year. The difference between the footages taken by the drone a few months ago and now is shocking.

June 6, 2016 -- February 5, 2017 The main part of the ancient Roman Theater is destroyed. It was here, in these ancient walls, less than a year ago, after the release of Palmyra, where the world-famous Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Valery Gergiev gave a concert. It is now clear that only the amphitheater remained intact. The level of destruction is yet to be determined by experts. However, the drone footages show that the loss is colossal. Judging by these shots from a few hundred meters, beautiful Tetrapylon, which is as famous as the ancient Roman Theatre, is completely destroyed. Built in the 3rd century BC, this unique construction survived dozens of wars and even the last occupation of Palmyra by militants.

Now, Tetrapylon is gone. Militants regained control over Palmyra in December, 2016. Since then, fighting near the ancient walls does not stop. At the moment, the Syrian regular army occupies positions on the outskirts. Day by day, terrorists suffer heavy losses and leave the occupied territory. Meanwhile, Syrian intelligence reports alarming information. It fully confirms the facts obtained by the drones of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Militants are bringing whole convoys of explosives into Palmyra. Obviously, they are preparing to escape from the ancient city, leaving behind even more destruction.

It will be possible to estimate the losses only after the experts give their opinion. But, as archaeologists say, terrorists chose the most valuable for science, historically significant and best-preserved objects for their insane goals. All the most important buildings of Palmyra were affected in one way or another. This is a very serious and sad loss not only for Syria but for the world heritage because these buildings are the pearls of Antiquity. These are the sites that were on the covers of history books, according to which we imagine artistic achievements of Antiquity, of the ancient world.