Russian jet crashes in Syria 'killing all crew' members

Russian jet crashes in Syria 'killing all crew' members
All members of a Russian air crew died following a plane accident in Syria, reports confirmed on Tuesday.
1 min read
10 October, 2017
Russia conducts airstrikes on behalf of Assad's government in Syria [File Photo: AFP]
A Sukhoi military jet crashed while preparing for take-off from Russia's Hmeimim base in Syria on Tuesday, killing the crew, Russian news agencies quoted a military spokesman as saying.

"The Su-24 plane rolled off the runway and broke up while accelerating for take-off... The plane's crew did not have time to eject and died," the spokesman said.

He did not clarify how many people died, but the Su-24 usually has a crew of two.

"According to a report from the scene of the accident, the reason could be a technical failure," he added.

Russia is heavily involved in the war in Syria and has been conducting military activities in support of President Bashar al-Assad for several years.

On Tuesday, the defence ministry said Russian planes are currently carrying out 150 strikes per day in eastern Syria against Islamic State militants.

The latest casualties put the toll of Russian servicemen officially reported killed in Syria at 37. 

Last month a Russian general was killed near the eastern city of Deir az-Zour, where Russian special forces are participating in the regime's ground offensive.