Russia launches its probe into the Il-20 crash

The main military investigation department of Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched a criminal probe into the crash on Monday of the Il-20 aircraft off the Syrian Mediterranean coast, spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko announced on Wednesday. She said that investigators and criminologists of the committee are working together with Russian Defense Ministry officials at the scene of the incident. DEBKAfile: The Russian investigators have arrived at the Khmeimim Air base in Syria.