Russian Su-25 pilot shot down over Syria blew himself up with a grenade to avoid capture

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February 6, 2018 7:21 PM

He apparently shouted "this is for the boys!" before detonating the grenade.

The Russian Su-25 pilot who was shot down over Syria on Saturday reportedly blew himself up with a grenade to avoid being captured by rebels.
A video of the alleged incident later emerged on social media.
Russia and the Syrian regime have responded to the Su-25 downing with massive airstrikes and alleged chlorine gas attacks, killing and wounding multiple civilians and destroying hospitals.

The Russian pilot who was shot down over Syria on Saturday blew himself up with a grenade to avoid being captured by rebels, according to Russian media.

Maj. Roman Filipov was flying over the town of Idlib province after conducting airstrikes in the region when his Su-25 was hit with what Russian authorities said was a MANPAD.

Filipov ejected and landed on the ground, but was quickly surrounded by rebels. Armed with a Stechkin pistol, he hid behind a stone embankment and reportedly unloaded a clip before getting wounded. As the rebels approached, he apparently shouted "this is for the boys!" and then detonated a grenade.

A video later emerged on social media showing rebels surrounding Filipov before a small explosion is heard and a plume of smoke rises.

An al-Qaeda offshoot known as

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