A portrait of pilot Roman Fillipov during a memorial service in Voronezh, Russia © Vadim Savitsky / Reuters
Chris Brown, CBC: Death of Russian airman underscores problems Putin faces in Syria
'Russian casualties, instead of decreasing, have been increasing,' said one expert
For most of this week, Russians have been united in mourning the death of fighter pilot Roman Filipov, who was killed when his jet was shot down over northern Syria.
The 33-year-old husband and father of two from Voronezh apparently parachuted out of his cockpit alive, but once he hit the ground, he was surrounded and attacked by members of an al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group.
Russia's defence ministry said Filipov's dying act was to shout, "This is for our guys!" as he pulled the pin on a grenade and ended his life.
His sacrifice earned him posthumous recognition as a "Hero of Russia," but it also thrust the Syria conflict back to the top of the country's news agenda, where it had faded from view.
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WNU Editor: There is no real enthusiastic support in Russia for the country to be involved in Syria. The pundits may talk about it on Russian TV and radio, but for the average citizen .... unless they have a family member or a friend serving in the military .... there is minimal interest. But if this war does continue .... and I personally expect it will .... the costs will rise and a debate will begin on why is Russia still there. Unfortunately .... that debate is going to only happen in the next year or two, and not before Russians go to the polls in March to elect a President.
