"Rebel gunmen shot down a Su-25 attack plane. The Russian pilot parachuted,"AFPquoted Mr. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said on February 3. "The Russian pilot was killed while fighting against Islamist rebels who shot down the plane and were trying to capture him alive."

The Su-25 crashed in Idlib province, northwestern Syria. SOHR has not confirmed which faction shot down the Russian fighter jet, but this is an area of ​​operation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the al-Qaeda branch in Syria.

Video on social media shows the Su-25 being hit by bullets, along with images of the plane's wreckage, with a red star on its wing, burning on the ground.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that a Su-25 attack aircraft crashed while flying over the Idlib de-escalation zone. The pilot had enough time to eject and died while fighting terrorists on the ground.

The Su-25 attack aircraft is designed specifically for close air support missions. To counter enemy anti-aircraft fire, the Su-25 cockpit is made of titanium with a thickness of 10-24 mm, which can withstand 12.7 mm infantry bullets or 30 mm anti-aircraft artillery shells. Important parts are also covered with titanium armor and always have a backup system, ensuring normal operation even when the aircraft is hit by bullets.

Russia began its military campaign in Syria in late September 2015. With the support of the Russian air force, the Syrian army liberated almost all the territory controlled by terrorist groups within two years. Although it announced a partial withdrawal of its forces from Syria, Moscow still maintains a long-term presence at the port of Tartus and the Hmeymim airport to carry out future international missions.

Location of Idlib province, Syria. Graphics:BBC.