The rescue operation of Russia's Su-24 navigator has been successefully completed with the pilot back at the Hmeymim airbase safe and sound, Russian Defense Ministry Sergey Shoygu said Thursday.

"The rescue operation was successfully completed. The navigator is back at our airbase. [He is] safe and sound," the minister said at the Ministry of Defense board meeting.

Shoygu noted that the operation lasted 12 hours and thanked "all our men, who risked [their lives] working all night."

"I reported the success to the Commander in Cheif (Russia's President Vladimir Putin). He asked me to thank all the personnel who took part in this operation," Shoygu said.