Turkey advises its citizens to delay trips to Russia

ANKARA

Turkey's foreign ministry has asked its citizens to delay trips to Russia amid strained relations between the two countries.

"Within the framework of the recent developments in Turkey-Russia relations, it has been observed that our citizens have been having some difficulties with their trips to the Russian Federation and their residence within the said country as of November 24,” the ministry said in a statement Saturday.

"Until this situation is cleared, we advise our citizens to delay non-urgent and non-significant trips to the said country," it added.

At least 26 Turkish businessmen were taken into police custody in Russia's Black Sea city of Krasnodar late Wednesday, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

Five of the group returned to Turkey on Saturday morning, Anadolu Agency reported.

The Turkish embassy in Moscow has issued an advisory to its citizens in Russia, requesting them to carry their passports and ensure their visas and permits are valid.

The embassy also reiterated that they should "meticulously obey the rules in Russia and warnings from the Russian authorities."

However, Russia has recommended its citizens in Turkey return home.

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said late on Thursday that it wanted its citizens not to travel to Turkey because of a perceived "terror threat".

"We recommend our citizens residing in Turkey for special reasons to return to Russia," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia also decided on Friday to unilaterally suspend its visa exemption for Turkish citizens starting from Jan. 1, 2016, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov saying the suspension was "for the sake of security of Russia and its citizens."

Two Turkish F-16 fighter jets on an aerial patrol intercepted an unidentified warplane on Tuesday within engagement rules when it intruded into Turkish airspace on the Syria border.

The intruding aircraft was warned about the violation 10 times within five minutes before it was shot down.

The Russian Defense Ministry later announced that one of its SU-24s had been shot down. It crashed in the Syrian region of Bayirbucak, close to Yayladagi district of Turkey's southern Hatay province.

NATO confirmed the accuracy of the information shared by Turkey about the violation.

It was not the first time Russian fighter jets had violated Turkish airspace. In early October, Russian warplanes breached Turkish airspace. Russian officials apologized and pledged that no such incident would be repeated. Turkey had also renewed its warning on engagement rules, including a military response against violations of Turkish airspace.