Russia has deployed a military police battalion to occupied eastern Aleppo, according to AFP.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu revealed the news on Friday claiming the troops were sent to “keep order” in eastern Aleppo which was recently occupied by Iran-backed militias and Assad regime.

Russia played a major role in the occupation of Aleppo through fierce aerial bombardment that destroyed most of eastern Aleppo and killed and injured hundreds of civilians.

The number of deployed troops was not revealed but a battalion usually consists of at least 300 soldiers. Russian military police is a subdivision of the Russian military.

Moreover, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved Friday an agreement with Assad regime to expand the territory of the Russian naval base in the Syrian port city of Tartus. In October, the Russian defense ministry announced plans to expand its supply base in Tartus into a permanent naval base.

The deployment comes after the displacement of the people of eastern Aleppo was completed on Thursday as part of a ceasefire deal. Iran-backed militias now occupy all the eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo while opposition fighters control al-Rashideen neighborhood west of the city and most of the western countryside.

The occupation came after Iran-backed militias and Assad regime backed by Russian air power launched a brutal aggression against the besieged eastern districts of Aleppo which killed and injured hundreds of civilians and destroyed most of the districts’ hospitals, schools and infrastructure.