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Jet Downing Exposes Limits of Russian Force in Syria, Analysts Say
(Wall Street Journal) Thomas Grove - The downing of a Russian jet on the Syrian border this week by Turkey and the deadly search-and-rescue mission that followed it exposed limitations in the modest force Moscow has sent to back the regime of President Assad, military experts say. Once the Su-24 warplane was shot down, Russia suffered further losses when a search-and-rescue mission went awry after the Mi-8 helicopter being used in the mission was hit by small-arms fire from the ground. The helicopter made an emergency landing in neutral territory, Russia's Defense Ministry said, where it was ultimately destroyed by a mortar round.