The body of Russian pilot Roman Filipov who lost his life in Syria has been brought back to Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
"The body of the pilot, Major Roman Filipov, who died a hero’s death in Syria on February 3 has been brought back to Russia by the Russian military intelligence service in collaboration with our Turkish counterparts. The funeral ceremony for Major Roman Filipov with military honors will take place on February 8 in Voronezh in accordance with the desire expressed by the Russian pilot’s family and parents," TASS cited the ministry as saying.
According to earlier reports, Russia’s Sukhoi Su-25 jet was downed over the Idlib de-escalation zone on February 3. The pilot, Major Roman Filipov, ejected himself only to be surrounded by terrorists. First, he used his handgun against attackers and then blew up himself with a hand grenade.
Fillipov was nominated for the Hero of Russia title posthumously.
