Turkey releases audio of 'warning' to downed Russia jet

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Turkey releases audio of 'warning' to downed Russia jet

Media captionIn the audio recording from the Turkish military, a voice can apparently be heard saying ''change your heading south''

The Turkish military has released an audio recording of what it says were warnings to a Russian warplane before it was shot down on the Syrian border.

"Change your heading south immediately," a voice is heard saying in English. Turkey said it had tried to rescue the SU-24 bomber's two pilots.

One of them was killed by gunfire as he parachuted from the burning plane.

The other pilot was rescued. He denied claims the jet had violated Turkish airspace and warnings had been given.

The plane crashed into a mountainside on Syrian soil after being hit by a missile from a Turkish F-16 fighter jet on Tuesday.

Tensions have escalated between the two countries over the incident, with Russian President Vladimir Putin describing it as a "stab in the back" and warning of "serious consequences".

Moscow later broke off military contacts with Ankara and said it would deploy its most advanced anti-aircraft missile system in Syria to destroy any target that may threaten its warplanes.

It also said fighter jets would now escort its bombers during air strikes over Syria.



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