Syrian commandos rescue Russian pilot downed in Latakia

DAMASCUS, Nov.25 (Xinhua) -- A Syrian commandos unit has saved one of the Russian pilots, whose warplane was downed by Turkey on Tuesday, in the countryside of the northwestern province of Latakia, a Syrian military source said on Wednesday.

The commandos infiltrated rebel-held areas in four km depth on Tuesday evening and rescued the Russian pilot, the source said, adding that the pilot has been taken to the Hmaimem airbase in Latakia where the Russian air force is stationed.

He said the "qualitative operation" has been carried out jointly with a Russian special force, noting that the commandos units have returned safely.

The Russian pilot is in good health, he added.

Turkey downed a Russian warplane on Tuesday in an area near its border with war-torn Syria.
Russia's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that preliminary data showed one of the two pilots ejected from the downed warplane was killed by ground fire as he parachuted into Syria.