The Russian Ministry of Defense's Information and Mass Communications Agency issued a statement.
"In addition to General Sergei Shoigu, Minister of Defense, during a visit to the Russian air base Hmeymim in Syria, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces expressed gratitude and praised the Syrian soldiers for their bravery and heroism in the successful combat contract with the Russian Aerospace Forces against the IS fighters," Sputnik quoted the statement.
General Valery Gerasimov presented Syrian General Sukhel Hasan with a letter of thanks from the Russian Defense Minister along with the award for a precious cold weapon.
The Syrian armed forces had previously launched a paramilitary group to land behind the IS fighters in the El-Kedr residential area, 120 km from the city of Deir ez-Zor, with the support of Russian military advisers.
Russian helicopters adjusted the range of fireworks from Syrian artillery and attacked the military equipment and positions of IS terrorists. The soldiers landed in Syria led by General Sukhel Hasan - one of the most famous Syrian military families - destroyed the rebels' headquarters and warehouses, destroying 2 tanks and 3 armored vehicles. As a result of the operation, the Syrian army has taken control of 60 square kilometres of territory, three towns and two oil fields.
