LOC02:41
23:41 GMT
MOSCOW, Sept 18 (KUNA) -- Russia said it lost communication with the crew of a military reconnaissance aircraft in Syria on Monday as four Israeli F-16 jets were launching an attack on Syria's Latakia province.
Russian surveillance radars also detected missile launches from a nearby French frigate stationed in the Mediterranean, state-run news agency RIA Novosti quoted military sources as saying.
The IL-20 aircraft, carrying 14 onboard, was on its way to the Hmeimim Air Base located in the Latakia.
The incident occurred an hour before midnight (local time) about 35km away from Syrian shores.
The reports added that a search operation is currently underway. (end)
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