There are fresh concerns conflict in the Middle East will escalate after a Russian fighter jet was shot down over Turkey.

A war of words has erupted between the Russians and Turks after the plane went down near the Syrian border, killing at least one pilot on board.

Turkey claims the jet ignored 10 warnings.

Fairfax Middle East correspondent Ruth Pollard told Ross and John Russia’s relationship with Turkey had already been strained.

‘There is a lot of concern about escalation in the conflict,’ she said on 3AW Breakfast.

‘It’s the second time that Turkey and Russia have had a very significant escalation in the last month.

‘On October 3 and 4, Russian jets again violated Turkish air space in the first week of Russia’s military action inside Turkey.’

Click PLAY below to hear Ruth speak with Ross and John.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called it a ‘stab in the back’ for relations, saying the jet was on the Syrian side of the border. 

Ex-fighter pilot Byron Bailey said the event isn’t likely to pass without consequence.

‘I don’t think NATO is going to come to the aid of Turkey, because this isn’t an invasion by Soviet forces into Europe,’ he explained.

‘Anything can happen.

‘In the meantime, I think ISIS will be loving this.’