Russian pilot’s body flown to Ankara after honours

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The Turkish authorities have handed over the body to Russian jet pilot to Russian official on Monday.  

The body of the Russian pilot killed after his plane was downed on the Syrian border was flown to Ankara.

Lt Col Oleg Peshkov’s coffin was flown to the capital from southern Turkey. It is not yet clear when the body will be repatriated to Russia.

Turkish forces shot down the plane saying it had violated Turkish airspace, which Russia denies.

The incident has sparked a furious row between the two countries.

Russia announced sanctions against Turkey.

The rebels said he had died by the time he reached the ground.

Earlier on Sunday, Lt Col Peshkov’s body was received by Turkish authorities at Hatay airport on the Syrian border. A Turkish honour guard carried the coffin on to an air force plane for the flight to Ankara.