The loss of Palmyra represents one of the biggest setbacks for the ultra-hardline Islamist group since it declared a caliphate in 2014 across large parts of Syria and Iraq.
As Putin’s intervention turns the tide of Syria’s five-year conflict in Assad’s favour, MailOnline spotlights the terrifying arsenal of weapons, armour and warplanes that have become so pivotal to the fate of all sides inside Syria.
Arsenal: Putin has an awesome array of firepower at his disposal in warplanes, missiles and state of the art tanks with thousands of military personnel deployed in the war on terror from the air and sea
BY AIR: Fleet of fighter jets with precision-guided missiles so advanced some are even controlled by the pilot’s helmet
While the Russian Command Group and Co-ordination teams are based at their embassy in Damascus, it is their base in the port city of Latakia, north western Syria, which is providing the hub for the air power. Dozens of daily sorties were flown from these headquarters when the campaign was at its height.
Based there is the astonishingly powerful Air Group of Su-34, Su-35S, Su-30SM, Su-24 and Su-25 combat aircraft, the Helicopter Group of Mi-24 and Mi-35 gunships, Mi-8 utility helicopters and the Airlift Contingent of An-124, II-76 and Tu-154 aircraft.
The supersonic Su-24 tactical bomber, Su-25, Su-30 and Su-34 are all equipped with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles to assist Syrian ground troops and destroy enemy bases.
The KH-29L air-to-surface missile - weighing up to 690kg - is designed to level hardened ground targets including railways, bridges, factories, runways and aircraft in reinforced concrete shelters, according to the Tactical Missiles Corporation.
Does this Air Group have a name? He could call it "The Condor Legion" or something like that.
Those damn Russians, NOW they have terrifying stuff?! Diabolical!