Russian co-pilot's body handed over by Turkey after Syria downing

The body of Lt Col Oleg Peshkov will be given back to Russia, according to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. He said that the Sukhoi Su-24 co-pilot's body had been treated in accordance with Orthodox Christian tradition.

"The funeral proceedings have been carried out in line with his religious traditions with contributions from Orthodox Christians in Hatay [Turkey's southernmost province]," Davutoğlu told reporters in Ankara, Turkey's capital city.

Peshkov ejected from the stricken attack aircraft on Tuesday, after it was shot down by the Turkish air force. He was killed by rebels firing from the ground as he parachuted into Syrian territory. Davutoğlu said that Turkey received Peshkov's body on Saturday.

"As a result of the initiatives we have taken, in line with Russian requests, the body will soon be delivered to Russia today in the presence of the Russian military attache and an official from the Turkish general staff," said Davutoğlu before leaving for a meeting with EU leaders on migration in Brussels. The Turkish PM said that Russia's military attache was travelling to Turkey today (29 November).

The plane's pilot, Captain Konstantin Murakhtin, survived and was rescued from rebel-held territory in Syria by Russian special forces. Capt Murakhtin said he keen to go back on duty and stay in Syria, saying "someone has to pay" for his colleague's death, according to BBC News.

Lt-Col Peshkov was posthumously awarded the Hero of the Russian Federation honour by President Vladimir Putin for "heroism, courage and bravery shown during the fulfillment of his military duties". The award is Russia's highest honorary title.

Turkey said it fired on the Russian aircraft because it entered its airspace, even though it was warned repeatedly not to. But Russia denies the pilots received any warnings.

Davutoğlu warned that with different coalitions operating in Syria with differing objectives, similar incidents to that of the downing of the Russian jet could happen, unless there was information sharing and coordination.

He called for greater coordination and intelligence sharing between the countries carrying out airstrikes in Syria so that similar incidents could be avoided in the future, Reuters reported.