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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

CNN reports on the downing of a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 [wikipedia.org] fighter jet that violated Turkish airspace [cnn.com]:

One of the world's most volatile regions was roiled further Tuesday when a Russian warplane was shot down near the Turkish-Syria border. Turkey said it shot down a plane after the aircraft repeatedly violated its airspace and ignored several warnings.

Turkey's semi-official Anadolu news agency quoted Turkish presidential sources in reporting that the Russian SU-24 was "hit within the framework of engagement rules" in Syria's Bayirbucak area, near the border with Turkey.

But Russia's state-run Sputnik news agency said that "According to preliminary reports, the plane was gunned down from the ground."

Russian officials denied that the plane had violated Turkish airspace. Both pilots ejected from the plane, but their fate is unknown, Sputnik said.

BBC Live Reporting [bbc.com] and The Guardian Live Updates [theguardian.com]:

Graphic video purporting to show a dead Russian pilot is being widely circulated, but we cannot verify its authenticity. BrookingsDoha analyst Charles Lister says the video shows the dead pilot wearing Russian uniform and equipment. He says the dead pilot is now reported to be in the hands of anti-Assad rebels from the Alwiya Al-'Ashar group.

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