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Thousands pay last respects to Russian pilot killed in Syria

The funeral took place in his hometown of Lipetsk, attended by Viktor Bondarev, commander-in-chief of Russia's Aerospace Forces, who had presented the Hero of Russia star to the airman's widow

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© Alexander Ryumin/TASS

© Alexander Ryumin/TASS

© Alexander Ryumin/TASS

© Alexander Ryumin/TASS

© Alexander Ryumin/TASS

© Alexander Ryumin/TASS

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LIPETSK, December 2. /TASS/. More than 10,000 people came to pay last respects to Oleg Peshkov on Wednesday, pilot of the Russian Su-24 bomber downed in Syria by Turkey’s air force on November 24.

The funeral took place in his hometown of Lipetsk, attended by Viktor Bondarev, commander-in-chief of Russia's Aerospace Forces, who had presented the Hero of Russia star to the airman's widow on Tuesday.

Bondarev said Peshkov had been killed "by a treacherous strike in the back by Turkey’s air force and leadership". The 45-year-old pilot's body was brought to Russia on November 30.

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