Russian fighter jet skids off aircraft carrier
Russia loses its fighter aircraft after skidding off Admiral Kuznetsov. In Picture: Jet fighters fly over the Russian aircraft-carrier 'Admiral Kuznetsov' during military exercises in the Barents Sea. Jet fighters fly over the Russian aircraft-carrier 'Admiral Kuznetsov' during military exercises in the Barents Sea, August 17, 2005.Reuters

A Russian jet, Sukhoi Su-33 has been lost as it tried to land on the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, off Syrian coast in the Mediterranean sea.

A Sukhoi Su-33, which was part of the carrier operations skidded while trying to land on the aircraft carrier. The jet crashed due to defective arrester gear cable, Combat aircraft reported.

The pilot of the aircraft ejected safely and was unharmed. The navy is continuing its aviation sorties according to its tasks.

This was the second such aircraft that was lost from the Admiral Kuznetsov while undertaking its mission. The last aircraft that was lost was a Mikoyan MiG-29 on November 14. The loss was also due to a defective arrester cable.

The Su-33s have undergone a "modest" upgrade enhancing their ability to perform precise bombing.

Russia is an ally of Syrian President Assad and has backed him militarily, even activating an old friendship treaty between the two countries. Russia is actively involved in eliminating targets belonging to the Syrian rebels and the so called IS forces in Syria.

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