The Russian pilot who was shot down in Syria at the weekend committed suicide with a grenade before he could be captured by Syrian rebels, the Russian defense ministry said Monday.

Russian authorities have now lionized the pilot’s death, seizing a propaganda victory from Syrian rebels who dramatically shot down the Sukhoi Su-25 jet involved in a major push into Idlib province.

• After taking heavy fire, Major Roman Filipov ejected and parachuted into a rebel stronghold in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province, Russia said.
• Severely wounded, Filipov opened fire on incoming militants with his service weapon before killing himself with a grenade as they closed in, according to Russia.
• video reportedly shows what sounds like small arms fire is followed by someone shouting in Russian “this is for my boys.” – DW.com

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