Destroyed Syria rebels in area where jet brought down: Russia

Russia today said its forces had wiped out Syrian rebel groups operating in the area where one of its jets was brought down, unleashing a huge bombardment after rescuing a pilot.

"As soon as our pilot was safe, Russian bombers and artillery of the Syrian government forces carried out massive strikes in the indicated area for an extended period," military official Igor Konashenkov told Russian news agencies, adding that "the terrorists operating in that area and other mysterious groups were destroyed.