BBC,World, Nov. 14, 2016 – A Russian MiG-29 fighter jet has crashed into the Mediterranean Sea as it tried to land on the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, the country’s defense ministry has said.
The pilot ejected from the plane, the ministry said.
The Admiral Kuznetsov is part of a group of Russian warships recently deployed near the Syrian coast.
Nato had expressed concern planes from the carrier would be used to attack civilians in the Syrian city of Aleppo.

Refuelling controversy

The defense ministry said the crash was as a result of “technical malfunction” during a training flight.
The jet came down a few kilometers from the carrier and the pilot was picked up by a rescue team.
“The pilot’s health is not in danger,” the ministry said, adding that he was ready to fly again.
It said that flight operations had not been suspended.

 Image copyrightAFPImage captionPlans for the carrier to refuel in the Spanish port of Ceuta (pictured) were canceled

The Admiral Kuznetsov can carry dozens of fighter-bombers and helicopters.
Its flotilla sailed from Russia to the Mediterranean via the English Channel last month.
The ships refueled at sea off North Africa after plans to dock at the Spanish port of Ceuta were canceled amid Nato concerns over their mission.
The naval group also includes a nuclear-powered battle cruiser, two anti-submarine warships, and four support vessels, probably escorted by submarines.

 
The group joined about 10 other Russian vessels already off the Syrian coast.
Russia has been supporting Syrian government forces in the country’s civil conflict, most recently targeting rebels in eastern Aleppo.
Western leaders have said Russian and Syrian air strikes on Aleppo could amount to war crimes, an accusation rejected by Russia.
The air strikes have been suspended recently but there are fears that, with the naval flotilla now in place, they will be stepped up again.