Putin vows 'extremely tough' action on Syria threats

President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian military to take "extremely tough" action against any threat to its forces in Syria.

Such targets must be "immediately destroyed", he told defence officials in televised comments.

Mr Putin did not elaborate on specific threats but Turkey and Russia are currently locked in a dispute over the downing of a Russian jet by Ankara.

Turkey said the bomber had entered its airspace, something denied by Russia.

A Russian pilot was killed in the downing of the Su-24 bomber, as was a marine sent on a rescue mission, badly damaging the normally close ties between Ankara and Moscow.

Mr Putin warned against "further provocations" without naming Turkey directly...
  BBC
11/12/15
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