One Russian pilot dead, fate of second unknown

A spokesman for the rebel group that captured a Russian pilot whose plane was shot down over northwestern Syria says he was dead upon landing.

Jahed Ahmad of the 10th Brigade in the Coast tells The Associated Press that the two Russian crew members tried to land in their parachutes in government-held areas after they ejected, but came under fire from members of his group.

He adds that rebels shot one of the pilots, who landed dead on the ground on Tuesday.

Several videos circulating online and shared on opposition social media sites purported to show the dead pilot surrounded by rebels from different factions.

Fadi Ahmed, a spokesman for the First Coastal Front rebel group, says “the Russian pilot was killed by gunfire as he fell with his parachute” in the Jabal Turkman area of Latakia province.

“The 10th Brigade (rebel group) transferred the body of the dead Russian to the local rebel joint operations room,” adds Omar Jablawi, a media activist working with rebels in the area.

The sources say rebels are still searching for the second Russian pilot of the Su-24 aircraft, which Ankara said was downed by Turkish forces.

— Agencies