MOSCOW. Aug 14 (Interfax) - The Syrian army airdropped personnel behind the lines of the ISIL militant group, which is banned in Russia, during an operation that had been planned together with Russian military advisors, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.
Once landed, the tactical troops proceeded to liberate from militants the populated locality of el-Kadir, 120 kilometers west of Deir ez-Zor, the Russian military said.
"The operation was conducted under the leadership of one of the most famous Syrian military chiefs, General Suheil al-Hassan. Russian military advisors were directly involved in the planning and running of the operation," the ministry said.
The start of the landing operation was preceded by efficient pounding of ISIL positions and equipment with Syrian army rocket artillery and the Russian Aerospace Force's Kamov Ka-52 helicopters, the ministry said.
"Aided by night vision systems, not only did the famed Alligators provide efficient aiming and fire adjustment for multiple rocket launchers, but they also themselves destroyed terrorists' armored equipment and armed vehicles," the ministry said.
The Syrian landing operation was conducted in the early hours of August 12. The troops landed near the populated localities of Khirbet, Mikman and El-Kadir in Raqqa province, 20 kilometers from the frontline.
After powerful strikes, the airborne troops, having crossed a dried-out river bed towards El-Kadir, seized a commanding height and began storming the town.
"During the brief fight the Syrian airborne troops under the personal command of Gen. Suheil al-Hassan destroyed a militant command post and warehouses and knocked down two tanks and three armored vehicles," the defense ministry said.
The airborne troops held the seized positions until the core forces arrived, the ministry said. "The actions of the tactical air assault troops and the efficiency of attacks launched at ISIL militants enabled the government troops to get hold of El-Kadir without losses," the Russian military said.
The Syrian army seized control over about 60 square kilometers of territory, three populated localities and two oil fields, the ministry said.
This is the first Syrian tactical air landing operation behind enemy lines since the fighting against ISIL began, the ministry said.
The Syrian city of El-Suhne was freed from militants, the Russian defense ministry said a day earlier. The operation involved Russian combat aircraft and Syrian government troops.
"The liberation from ISIL terrorists of Es-Suhne opens possibilities for Syrian government troops to advance and unblock the city of Deir ez-Zor," the ministry said on Sunday.
Deir ez-Zor has been besieged by ISIL for several years now.