Russian plane is brought down by rebels in Syria

A pilot has reportedly been captured after a Russian plane was downed by Syrian rebels over Idlib province in northern Syria.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the pilot ejected from the military aircraft after it was shot down on Saturday afternoon near the rebel-held town of Sarqeb. The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) had been advancing towards the city in recent days under the cover of Russian and Syrian airstrikes.

Videos posted on social media appeared to show the plane being hit, and bellowing flames rising from the wreckage on the ground. One clip shows a man climbing on the burning debris and stamping on a red star insignia on a wing.

The fate of the pilot has not yet been confirmed.

With military support from Iran and Russia, forces loyal to Syrian president Bashir Al Assad have retaken scores of towns and villages from rebels over the past few months.

Moscow has not yet commented on the incident.

More to follow.

SOURCE: euronews
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