YEKATERINBURG, March 15. /TASS/. During the counterterrorism operation in Syria, the Russian military has destroyed the most ruthless system in the history of human civilization - the Islamic State terrorist group (outlawed in Russia), Russian Central Military District Commander Alexander Lapin stated, who was repeatedly stationed in Syria.

"While doing our duty far away from Russia, we have destroyed the most hateful machine in the history of civilization. We all have studied medieval history, the history of fascism, what they did in concentration camps, the torture and the atrocities they came up with," he said. "I would said that the IS may even be scarier."

The commander added that some of the torture methods applied by the terrorists are more ruthless than those from medieval times.

Russia started its military operation in Syria on September 30, 2015, upon request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. On December 6, 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Islamic State had been totally defeated on both banks of the Euphrates in Syria and on December 11, he issued an order to withdraw Russian troops from Syria. On December 22, 2017, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to the head of state that Russian troops had been withdrawn from Syria, with only three military police battalions, the Center for Reconciliation of the Warring Parties and two bases, in Hmeymim and Tartus, remaining in Syria.