Russia: Vladimir Putin invites UK experts to examine black box from SU-24 downed by Turkey

Russian president Vladimir Putin invited UK experts to take part in deciphering the data on the black boxes from the Russian SU-24 jet downed by Turkey in Syria.

The Russian embassy in the UK said in a statement on 9 November that Putin asked for British experts to take part in analysing the data in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister David Cameron, in which the two also discussed the attempt to reach a settlement to the Syria conflict, and the fight against Islamic State (Isis). Cameron also expressed condolences over the downing of the plane, according to the release.

One of the plane's two pilots was killed by Syrian rebel groups after parachuting from the plane that was shot down on 24 November, while a helicopter pilot sent on a rescue mission was also killed. Turkey, a Nato ally of the UK, claims the plane was repeatedly warned after straying into Turkish airspace, claims Moscow denies. Downing Street has been asked to comment.

Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu showed the recovered black box to Putin at a meeting in Moscow on 8 December and said it had been recovered by Syrian special forces near the crash site. Putin said it would remain closed until examined by international experts.