Turkish forces have shot down a Russian war plane after it reportedly violated Turkish airspace.

The Russian defence ministry said the Russian fighter jet had not violated Turkish airspace.

The ministry added it can prove the aircraft was over Syria for the entire flight.

Turkish authorities said it warned the Russian plane several times before shooting it down.

According to the reports, the ministry said the plane was on a bombing mission in Syria and crashed after it came under an artillery attack from the ground.

Moscow insisted that the jet, a Su-24, did not violate the Turkish airspace and was downed by artillery fire, not two Turkish F-16s.

The ministry said the pilots have parachuted but added that Moscow had no further contact with them.

CNN Turkey reported one of the jet's pilots is in the hands of the Turkish military in Northern Syria.

A Turkish military statement said the plane entered Turkish airspace over the town of Yaylidag, in the Hatay province. It said the plane was warned 10 times within the space of five minutes.

The Dogan news agency said the plane crashed in Syrian territory close to the border with Turkey.

The Guardian reported broadcaster Haberturk TV published video of the jet crashing to the ground in flames.