Russia calls for release of fighter pilot

MOSCOW, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Russian officials are asking for the release of a fighter jet pilot who crashed in Lithuanian territory.

The Su-27 fighter crashed Thursday. The pilot managed to eject safely.

"The Russian side proceeds from the assumption that the fighter jet and its pilot got into Lithuianian territory by mistake," the officials told Itar-Tass. "The jet and the pilot enjoy immunity from Lithuanian jurisdiction under international law and must be returned to Russia."

Lithuanian army commander Major-General Valdas Tutkus said the investigation of the crash could take weeks.