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Russian fighter jet shot down in Syria's Idlib province Russian fighter jet shot down in Syria's Idlib province
(35 minutes later)
A Russian Sukhoi-25 fighter jet has been shot down in a rebel-held area in Syria's north-western province of Idlib.A Russian Sukhoi-25 fighter jet has been shot down in a rebel-held area in Syria's north-western province of Idlib.
The Russian defence ministry said the pilot had ejected into an area believed to be controlled by the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance.The Russian defence ministry said the pilot had ejected into an area believed to be controlled by the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance.
Although he survived the crash he was killed in a ground fight, Moscow said.Although he survived the crash he was killed in a ground fight, Moscow said.
The Syrian government, Russia's ally, launched a major offensive in December against rebel groups in Idlib.The Syrian government, Russia's ally, launched a major offensive in December against rebel groups in Idlib.
What more do we know of the incident?What more do we know of the incident?
The Sukhoi-25, a close-support ground-attack aircraft, was operating over the town of Maasran in Idlib.The Sukhoi-25, a close-support ground-attack aircraft, was operating over the town of Maasran in Idlib.
There had been dozens of Russian air strikes in the area over the previous 24 hours, monitoring groups said.There had been dozens of Russian air strikes in the area over the previous 24 hours, monitoring groups said.
Video posted on social media showed the jet being hit and quickly catching fire, before spiralling to the ground.Video posted on social media showed the jet being hit and quickly catching fire, before spiralling to the ground.
Video from the ground showed the wreckage with red stars on the wings.Video from the ground showed the wreckage with red stars on the wings.
Russia's defence ministry said: "The pilot had enough time to report that he had ejected in an area controlled by the militants of Jabhat al-Nusra.Russia's defence ministry said: "The pilot had enough time to report that he had ejected in an area controlled by the militants of Jabhat al-Nusra.
"During a battle with terrorists, the pilot was killed.""During a battle with terrorists, the pilot was killed."
Jabhat al-Nusra was rebranded as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which merged in 2017 with other groups as the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance.Jabhat al-Nusra was rebranded as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which merged in 2017 with other groups as the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance.
Other video on social media showed a bloodied body in a uniform.Other video on social media showed a bloodied body in a uniform.
How are the Russians responding?How are the Russians responding?
The defence ministry said it was making all possible efforts to retrieve the body.The defence ministry said it was making all possible efforts to retrieve the body.
However, a slew of social media posts also reported a salvo of cruise missiles had been fired into Idlib province from Russian navy vessels in the Mediterranean. However, social media posts also reported a salvo of cruise missiles had been fired into Idlib province from Russian navy vessels in the Mediterranean.
The Russian defence ministry confirmed only that "a series of high-precision weapons strikes has been delivered on the area".The Russian defence ministry confirmed only that "a series of high-precision weapons strikes has been delivered on the area".
Who shot the plane down?Who shot the plane down?
It is not yet clear - no-one has said they carried out the attack.It is not yet clear - no-one has said they carried out the attack.
There are rebel groups in the Idlib area other than Jabhat Fateh al-Sham.There are rebel groups in the Idlib area other than Jabhat Fateh al-Sham.
As to the weapon used, there is only speculation on social media, although the Russian defence ministry said it was probably "a portable anti-aircraft missile system" also known as a MANPAD, or shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile.As to the weapon used, there is only speculation on social media, although the Russian defence ministry said it was probably "a portable anti-aircraft missile system" also known as a MANPAD, or shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile.
Is this a rare event?Is this a rare event?
Very. It could be the first time rebels have shot down a Russian fighter jet since Moscow began its Syria campaign in September 2015, although rebels did bring down a helicopter in 2016.Very. It could be the first time rebels have shot down a Russian fighter jet since Moscow began its Syria campaign in September 2015, although rebels did bring down a helicopter in 2016.
About 45 Russian military personnel have been confirmed dead in Syria, along with an unknown number of contractors.About 45 Russian military personnel have been confirmed dead in Syria, along with an unknown number of contractors.
Here are the air force losses:Here are the air force losses:
What's going on in Idlib?What's going on in Idlib?
It is supposed to be a "de-escalation zone", as agreed by Turkey, Russia and Iran, but fighting escalated in November and the Syrian government launched a major offensive there in December. It is supposed to be a "de-escalation zone", as agreed by Turkey, Russia and Iran. But fighting escalated in November and the Syrian government launched a major offensive there in December.
The main adversary is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.The main adversary is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
The UN says some 100,000 civilians have been displaced by the fighting.The UN says some 100,000 civilians have been displaced by the fighting.
There are 2.65 million people in north-western Syria as a whole, the UN says, and 1.16 million of them are internally displaced people (IDPs).There are 2.65 million people in north-western Syria as a whole, the UN says, and 1.16 million of them are internally displaced people (IDPs).
Is this the only fighting in north-west Syria?
No. Turkey launched an operation on 20 January called "Olive Branch" aimed at removing Kurdish militiamen from Afrin, to the north-west of the city of Aleppo.
The Turkish army said seven Turkish soldiers were killed in action on Saturday, including five who died in an attack on a tank by the Kurdish YPG (People's Protection Units) militia.
It was heaviest Turkish death toll in one day since the operation began.
Kurds in Syria also reacted furiously to a video showing the body of a female Kurdish fighter killed in battle.