SU-24 Crash: Russian Warplane’s Black Box Is Damaged, Say Investigators

The black box of the Russian warplane downed by Turkey on the Syrian border last month is damaged, Russian investigators say.

The Su-24 jet’s flight recorder was officially opened in Moscow on December 18 in front of journalists and diplomats.

Nikolai Primak, head of the Russian investigation, said flight information appeared to be missing.

Data from the box could help resolve the dispute over the jet’s location when it was hit.

An analysis is expected to be released next week.

The downing of the jet plunged relations between Russia and Turkey into crisis, with Moscow imposing sanctions in response.

Turkey insists that the fighter jet, from the Russian air contingent deployed in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad, ignored warnings to leave its airspace.

Russia says it was shot down within Syrian airspace and President Vladimir Putin vented his anger at Turkey’s government again on Thursday, accusing it of subservience to the US and of “creeping Islamisation”.

Turkey and Russia are heavily involved in Syria but take radically different positions despite both being ostensibly opposed to ISIS.

The Su-24 was shot down by F-16 fighters on November 24.

Both crew members ejected but the pilot was killed, apparently by militants on the ground while the navigator was rescued.

A Russian marine sent to rescue the crew was also killed and a helicopter destroyed on the ground.

Russia has demanded an apology from Turkey and in the meantime has imposed sanctions including a ban on package holidays, which could cost Turkey billions of dollars.