Russia’s foreign ministry on Thursday urged nationals currently in Turkey to return home after tensions with Ankara soared over the downing of a Russian warplane.

Russia’s foreign ministry on Thursday urged nationals currently in Turkey to return home after tensions with Ankara soared over the downing of a Russian warplane.

"In connection with the existing terrorist threats on Turkish territory, we once again recommend that Russian citizens refrain from visiting Turkey, and recommend that Russians who are there for personal purposes return home," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Turkey shot down a Russian jet with two pilots aboard on Tuesday morning, claiming the warplane had violated its airspace. One of the pilots was killed by militants in Syria after ejecting out of the targeted jet and another was rescued by the Syrian army.

Russia denies all of Ankara’s claims, saying that the jet was downed in Syrian airspace, where Moscow has been carrying out operations against ISIL Takfiri terrorists since September 30 upon a request by the Damascus government.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had called the downing of the warplane “a stab in the back” by "the accomplices of terrorists," said on Thursday that Moscow is still waiting for an apology from Turkey or some assurances that “the culprits of this crime” will be punished.