Russian Ambassador to France, Aleksandr Orlov, told Europe 1 radio that one of the Russian pilots who ejected from the Su-24 jet that was shot down by Turkey has managed to survive as he was picked up by the Syrian army. Both pilots were shot at as they parachuted from the plane said Russia’s defence ministry while a marine helicopter later came under fire.

“One on board (the jet plane) was wounded when he parachuted down and killed in a savage way on the ground by jihadists in the area. The other managed to escape. According to the latest information he has been picked up by the Syrian Army and should be going back to the Russian Air Force base,” he said.