Russian military officials say one of the two pilots in the shot-down warplane was killed by gunfire from the ground. The officials added one crew member of a Russian helicopter was also killed when it came under attack. The helicopter was heading to rescue the pilots of the downed warplane. This is the first time Russia has acknowledged that its soldiers were killed in action since airstrikes on Islamic State militants in Syria began in September.
President Vladimir Putin said the incident would have serious consequences for Moscow’s relations with Ankara. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has canceled his trip to Turkey scheduled today. He also urged Russians to refrain from traveling to the country. The military suspended contact with its Turkish counterpart.