Russian Su-25 pilot fired back at rebels before being killed
The pilot ejected from a Russian plane shot down in Syria but died fighting rebels on the ground.
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Scene of the Russian Su-25 shot down in Syria. Photo:AFP. |
The Russian Su-25 pilot killed by rebels in Idlib, Syria on February 3 was identified as Roman Filippov, according to the independent investigation group Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), according toRT.
The photo released by CIT on Facebook shows the gun Filippov apparently used to fight in his final moments.
The Stechkin pistol (APS) is a standard issue weapon for Russian fighter pilots. Next to the pistol are three magazines, one of which is empty, the other two are half empty.
Citing Russian Defense Ministry sources, Novaya Gazeta said Filippov was a former Ukrainian pilot who joined the Russian military after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula.
The Russian Defense Ministry has not officially released the identity of the pilot. They confirmed that when the Su-25 was shot down in Idlib on February 3, the pilot used an ejection seat to escape but died fighting with rebels on the ground. Moscow said the plane was shot down by a man-portable air defense system (MANPAD). Two militant groups have claimed responsibility for the incident.
