Russian Su-30SM Fighter Jet Crashes in Syria Killing Pilots

A Russian Su-30SM fighter aircraft has reportedly crashed into the Mediterranean sea soon after taking off from Khmeimim air based in Syria.

Both the pilots have been killed. Russia leases the Khmeimim air base in the coastal Latakia province, where it maintains fighter jets and bombers involved in a nearly three-year military campaign in support of the Syrian government, Interfax reported, citing the Russian Defense Ministry Thursday.

“According to preliminary information, the cause of the crash could have been a bird hitting the engine,” Interfax quoted the ministry as saying.