ZHDANIVKA, Ukraine: Pro-Russian rebels have successfully targeted a Ukrainian fighter jet in eastern Ukraine as it flew over rebel-held territory, foreign media reported.

The fighter jet turned into ash via crashing into a field after being targeted in mid-air while the pilot was seen ejecting via parachute in at-least 40 kilometers away in the area located in Donetsk city.

It should be mentioned here Malaysia Airlines MH17 was also shot down at 40 kilometres west of the site at an altitude of some 10,000 metres on July 17 killing all 298 people on board, reports revealed.

AFP witnessed explosion and flashes erupted on the incident’s site while acrid smoke covered the sky.