Moscow- Russia is preparing to return an Israeli tank captured by Syrian troops in the 1982 war that is exhibited at a museum near Moscow.

“Israel got the notification that Russian President Vladimir Putin met the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return the tank that the Syrians gave the Russian army and that is now being exhibited in the tank museum,” a statement issued by the Israeli government’s press service said on Sunday.

As soon as Israel learned about Russia’s approval to return the tank, Netanyahu tanked the Russian President.

“I thank Russian President Vladimir Putin, who responded to my request to return the tank from the Battle of Sultan Yacoub to Israel,” Netanyahu said in his statement.

“The families of the missing … have not had a physical vestige of their sons or a grave to visit for the past 34 years. The tank is the only evidence of the battle and now it will return to Israel thanks to Russian President Putin’s consent to my request,” the Israeli PM said on his Facebook page.

Over the weekend, Israel was informed that Putin had consented to Netanyahu’s request and had signed a presidential order for the tank’s return. Netanyahu also informed the families of the three missing soldiers of the development.

The Prime Minister’s Office also announced that a delegation from the Israeli army’s ammunition corps is currently in Moscow meeting with Russian representatives to explore how the tank can be transferred to Israel as quickly as possible.