Turkish-Russian relations, already tense due to Moscow’s military engagement in Syria to aid President Bashar al-Assad, took a dangerous turn when a Russian fighter jet was shot down by the Turkish military. Ankara said the plane had violated Turkey’s airspace, a claim that Russia is rejecting. The incident follows angry statements in recent days from Ankara aimed at Russia for hitting targets in an area where Turkmen fighters armed and supported by Turkey are fighting the Syrian army, which is supported by Russian fighter jets. A fuming Russian President, Vladimir Putin, warned Ankara after the downing of the jet that there would be ‘significant consequences,' signalling Turkish-Russian ties changing radically as Turkey faces Moscow’s increasing resolve to fight anti-Assad groups supported by Ankara. Ankara insists that there is no IS presence where Turkmen are located. The Turkmen are ethnic Turks who have lived in the region since the 11th century.