Russia unleashes heavy bombardment on region held by Turkmen rebels

Russian forces launched a heavy bombardment against insurgent-held areas in Syria's Latakia province on Wednesday, near where the Sukhoi SU-24 fighter jet shot down by Turkey on Tuesday.

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At least a dozen air strikes hit areas controlled by Turkmen rebels, the group claiming to have shot and killed one of the pilots of the Russian jet as he parachuted out of the flaming wreckage, and attempted to kill his co-pilot. The group released a video showing them cheering and chanting 'Allahu Akbar' as they discovered the body of Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Peshkov, who will now receive Russia's highest state honour posthumously. Read more: