A Russian fighter jet based on an aircraft carrier currently near Syria’s shores has crashed on a training mission - but the pilot bailed out safely, the Russian Defence Ministry said.

The ministry said the crash into the Mediterranean of the MiG-29K fighter would not affect the operations of the Admiral Kuznetsov carrier.

“The Russian aircraft carrier group is continuing its operations in the Mediterranean in accordance with plan,” it said in a statement.

The jet’s pilot was quickly rescued and suffered no injuries, the ministry added.

It said the jet crashed a few kilometres away from the carrier due to a technical problem while on its way to land, but did not elaborate.

The carrier and escorting ships arrived in the eastern Mediterranean Sea last week. Pilots of the carrier-borne fighters have been conducting flights over Syria to survey the area.

Nato has expressed concern about the Russian carrier group’s deployment, saying the move could presage an increase in the number of Russian air raids in Syria - particularly around the besieged city of Aleppo. </s> A Russian fighter jet has crashed off the coast of Syria killing both pilots 'after a bird strike'.

The Kremlin says the SU-30SM war plane came down in the Mediterranean off the coastal city of Latakia this morning.

Pilots 'fought to take the aircraft under control till the last minute', according to Moscow defence officials.

Pictures have emerged on social media claiming to show the scene of the crash and smoke rising over the sea.

The plane had earlier taken off from the Khmeimim Airbase and was not shot down, they said.

'As it was climbing after taking off from the Hmeimim airbase, the Russian fighter Su-30SM crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. Two pilots, who fought until the last minute to save the plane, died, according to reports from the scene,' a statement said.

The ministry said the multi-role fighter jet had not come under fire, adding that 'according to preliminary information, the reason for the crash could have been a bird falling into the engine'.

The accident brings Russia's official military losses in Syria to 86.

The most recent acknowledged military loss came when a transport plane crashed on landing at the Hmeimim airbase in March, killing all 39 people on board.

But Russian nationals are regularly reported to be serving as paid mercenaries in Syria and taking on dangerous missions that often lead to casualties. </s> In this 2004 file photo the Admiral Kuznetsov carrier seen in the Barents Sea, Russia. The Russian military says one of its the MiG-29 fighter jets based at a Russian aircraft carrier currently near Syria's shores has crashed on a training mission, but its pilot has survived.

MOSCOW — The Russian military says one of its fighter jets based on an aircraft carrier currently near Syria's shores has crashed on a training mission, but its pilot survived.

The Defense Ministry said Monday that the crash of the MiG-29 fighter will not affect the operations of the Admiral Kuznetsov carrier.

It said the jet's pilot bailed out safely and was picked up by a rescue team.

The ministry said the jet crashed due to a technical problem while on its way to land on the carrier, but didn't elaborate on what went wrong.

The carrier and escorting ships arrived in the eastern Mediterranean Sea last week. Pilots of the carrier-borne fighters have been conducting flights over Syria to survey the area. </s> Just in: 2 killed as Russian Su-30 jet crashes off Syrian coast (PHOTOS)

A Russian military jet has crashed off the coast of Syria’s Latakia, killing two pilot on board, Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed.

The pilots tried to save it.

The information so far indicate that a bird was sucked into one of the engines.
A Russian MiG-29 crashes in the Mediterranean Sea off the Syrian coast. The pilot ejected safely from the plane and is unhurt.