Russian pilot rescued by Syrian commando

A Russian military pilot whose plane was shot down by Turkey and crashed in Syria arrived on Wednesday at an air base in Latakia province after being rescued by a Syrian army commando unit, Syrian and Russian officials said.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Russian news agencies that the man was rescued in a 12-hour operation that ended in the early hours on Wednesday and is now "safe and sound" at Russia's air base in the government-controlled area in Syria.

One of the two pilots was killed and captured by Syrian rebels who said they were searching for the other.