27 November 2015, 16:16 GMT
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The downing of a Russian Su-24 attack aircraft in Syria by the Turkish air force hampers efforts to create a broad international coalition in the fight against Islamic State terrorists, Russian Envoy to NATO Alexander Grushko said Friday.
"It is a stab in the back of the anti-IS coalition, and an attempt to undermine efforts to create a broader coalition," Grushko said in an interview with Russia's Kommersant FM radio.
On Tuesday, a Russian Su-24 attack aircraft was downed by an air-to-air missile while carrying out precision strikes against terrorists in northern Syria. The missile was fired by a Turkish F-16 fighter in response to alleged violation of the Turkish airspace by the Russian jet.
One of the pilots of the downed Su-24 was killed by fire from the ground after ejecting, while the co-pilot was rescued and returned to the Russian airbase near Latakia.
The Su-24 incident also claimed the life of a Russian naval infantry soldier, who was killed in the rescue operation.
