JUST IN: Russian jet crashes in Syria, crew killed: agencies

Two Russian Sukhoi Su-24 bombers at Hmeimim base in Latakia province in northwestern Syria, on December 16, 2015/Paul Gypteau/ AFP/

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — A Sukhoi military jet crashed while preparing for take off from Russia’s Hmeimim base in Syria on Tuesday, killing the crew, Russian news agencies quoted a military spokesman as saying.

“The Su-24 plane rolled off the runway and broke up while accelerating for takeoff… The plane’s crew did not have time to eject and died,” the spokesman said.