Two Dead As Russian Jet Crashes Off Syrian Coast

Archive photo: Russian Su-30SM in flight.

A Russian fighter jet has crashed shortly after taking off from an airbase in Syria on Thursday morning, Moscow's defence ministry said in a statement carried by news agencies.

The statement said:

"As it was climbing after taking off from the Hmeimim airbase, the Russian fighter Su-30SM crashed into the Mediterranean Sea.

"Two pilots, who fought until the last minute to save the plane, died, according to reports from the scene."

The ministry also added that "according to preliminary information, the reason for the crash could have been a bird falling into the engine":

"The plane was not struck by any projectile."

The accident brings Russia's official military losses in Syria to 86.

The most recent acknowledged military loss came when a transport plane crashed on landing at the Hmeimim airbase in March, killing all 39 people on board.

The plane was among Russia's most advanced and it was used to launch air-to-ground missiles at rebel targets and to escort attack jets and strategic bombers in Syria.