Russian Sukhoi Su-24 aircraft crashes in Syria, crew killed

A Russian Sukhoi Su-24 jet (file photo by AFP)

Russia says one of its Sukhoi Su-24 fighter jets has crashed while preparing for take-off from a military base in Syria’s northwestern Latakia Province, killing the crew.

“On October 10, a Su-24 skidded off the runway and crashed while accelerating to take off for a combat task from Hmeimim Airbase in Syria,” Russian media quoted a military spokesman as saying on Tuesday.

The Russian spokesman did not specify the number of the fatalities, but the Su-24 usually has a crew of two.

“The plane’s crew did not have time to eject and died,” he said, noting that the incident could have been caused by “a technical failure” based on a report from the scene of the crash.

Russian jets have been conducting air raids against Daesh and other terrorist groups inside Syria at the Damascus government’s request since September 2015.

The strikes have helped Syrian forces advance against anti-Damascus militants, who have been wreaking havoc in the Arab country since 2011.

Russia lost two aircraft — a Su-33 and a Mig-29 — in Syria in 2016.