As more information is coming out about this it would appear that the Russians have been bombing the ethnic-Turkish Syrians and I suppose if my people were being bombed by someone I'd probably not have any qualms about killing their pilots at my first opportunity.
Russia is bombing ISIS and Syrian rebels who are fighting against Assad. If those rebels happen to be ethnic turks then they happen to be ethnic turks. Turkey essentially joined the conflict by shooting down the plane. It is important to see that because if Russia is to blame NATO is suppose to have their back. Turkey should not be allowed to fight in Syria via the so-called ethnic Turks and suffer no consequences in their own country. This is a plot to manipulate NATO support.
If Russia was violating Turkey’s airspace, why was the plane shot down in Syria where those rebels could shoot down the pilots? It is all very fishy.
Do we as a people grant mercy to our captives? Would we desire it also be shown to our own? That we are dealing with an ideology that offers no quarters should not reduce us to thinking as they do. My savior guides my personal opinion on this. It's one of the things that leads me to believe the Muslim deity is antithetical to my own.
Which doesn't change the fact that you'd be a war criminal. Can't shoot a pilot (or sailor) once he's abandoned his craft. You can shoot paratroopers, even if they've abandoned their plane.