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ByVladimirIsachenkov TheAssociatedPress MOSCOW In a move rais- ing the potential threat of a Russia-NATO conflict, Rus- sia said Wednesday it will deploy long-range air de- fense missiles to its base in Syria and destroy any tar- get that may threaten its warplanes following the downing of a Russian mili- tary jet by Turkey. The incident was the first time in half a century that a NATO member shot down a Russian plane. If Russia re- sponds by downing a Turk- ish plane, NATO member Turkey could proclaim itself underattackandaskthealli- ance for military assistance. Most observers believe that a military confronta- tion is unlikely, but that the shooting down of the plane will further fuel the Syrian conflict and complicate in- ternational peace efforts. The situation is also alarming because the Rus- sian and Turkish presidents both pose as strong leaders and would be reluctant to back down and seek a com- promise. The S-400 missiles, which Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered sent to the Hemeimeem air base in Syria's coastal prov- ince of Latakia, just 50 ki- lometers (30 miles) away from the border with Tur- key, are capable of striking targets within a 400-kilo- meter (250-mile) range with deadly precision. The mil- itary also moved the navy missile cruiser Moskva closer to the shore to help protect Russian warplanes with its long-range Fort air defense system. "It will be ready to destroy any aerial target posing a potential danger to our air- craft," Russian Defense Min- ister Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting with military offi- cials. He also announced the severance of all military ties with Turkey and said that fromnowon,Russianbomb- erswillalwaysbeescortedby fighters on combat missions over Syria. Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, di- rector of the German Mar- shall Fund in Ankara, said it is possible Russia could down a Turkish plane. "Turkish planes violate the Syrian border daily, ei- ther for reconnaissance flights or for anti-IS opera- tions," he said. "In the same waythatTurkeyarguesithas rules of engagement, Russia could also declare its own rules of engagement, saying it has the right to protect the skies of its ally." The Russian plane's downing marked a dra- matic turnaround in re- lations between Russia and Turkey, who have pro- claimed themselves to be "strategic partners" in the past and developed boom- ing economic ties despite differences over Syria. Putin described the Turk- ish action as a "crime" and a "stab in the back," and called Turkey an "accom- plice of terrorists." In a sign of the escalating ten- sions, protesters in Mos- cow hurled eggs and stones at the Turkish Embassy, breaking windows in the compound. Police cleared the area shortly after the protest began. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has of- ten been compared to Putin for his authoritarian ways, said Wednesday that his country doesn't wish to es- calate tensions with Russia. Speaking at an Organiza- tion of Islamic Cooperation economy meeting in Istan- bul, Erdogan said Turkey favors "peace, dialogue and diplomacy." He defended his country's move to shoot down the plane saying: "No one should expect Turkey to stay silent to border viola- tions or the violation of its rights." Putin has dismissed Tur- key's claim that the Rus- sian warplane intruded its airspace, voicing particular annoyance about Ankara turning to NATO instead of speaking to Russia, "as if it were us who shot down a Turkish plane." NATO Secretary-Gen- eral Jens Stoltenberg in turn said that the downing of the plane "highlights the need to strengthen mech- anisms to avoid such inci- dents in the future." "We should not sleepwalk into unintended escalation," he wrote in an op-ed that is to be published Thursday and was made available to The Associated Press. Iran meanwhile lashed out at Turkey, with the of- ficial IRNA news agency quoting Presidednt Hassan Rouhani as saying Ankara is responsible for the height- ened tensions in the region. One of the Russian pi- lots was killed by militants in Syria after bailing out, while his crewmate was res- cued by Syrian army com- mandos and delivered in good condition to the Rus- sian base early Wednesday. A Russian marine was also killed by the militants dur- ing the rescue mission. Speaking in televised comments from the Rus- sian base in Syria, the sur- viving navigator of the downed plane, Capt. Kon- stantin Murakhtin, denied that his jet veered into Tur- key's airspace "even for a single second." RUSSIAN JET SHOT DOWN Pu ti n se nd s ai r- de fe ns e mi ss il es t o Sy ri a to d et e r Tu rk ey IVANSEKRETAREV—THEASSOCIATEDPRESS Posters showing a portrait of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and reading "Wanted," and "Erdogan, Turkey," are le a er a protest at the Turkish Embassy in Moscow, Russia, on Wednesday. ParkingLot Tent Sale 70% off Items up to BLACK FRIDAY •Helmets•Gloves•RidingGear•Clothing 530-527-1466 ATVs are recommended only for use by those age 16 years and older. YAMAHA recommends an approved training course. See your dealer or call 1-800-887-2887. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. Professional driver on closed course. Always protect the environment and wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Read the ownerís manual and product warning labels before operation. Model shown with optional accessories. Vehicle specifications subject to change. 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