MOSCOW, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Russian air force's task group in Syria has destroyed a convoy of militants from the Islamic State (IS) heading towards the city of Deir ez-Zor, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.

"The aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed yet another large convoy of IS terrorists, which was heading towards Deir ez-Zor, where international terrorists are trying to regroup and set up their last stronghold in Syria," the ministry said in a statement.

According to the statement, the operation killed more than 200 IS militants and destroyed over 20 vehicles equipped with large-caliber weapons, as well as armored vehicles, including tanks and heavy load trucks carrying ammunition.

The Russian ministry said the destruction of IS in the area of Deir ez-Zor is a "strategic defeat" for the international terrorist group in Syria.