Russian Air Force Su-24 Crash

An Su-24M operated by Russia's Africa Corps in support of the Malian armed forces came down in the Niger River close to Gao airport while returning from a combat mission during the Malian offensive Operation Dougoukoloko, according to Military Africa. Both crew members were recovered unhurt. The Malian armed forces said the aircraft made a forced landing in the river after a sudden weather degradation with strong sand-laden winds near the runway. The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) claimed its fighters had hit the aircraft with ground fire. Neither account has been independently verified.