Story highlights Russia says Turkish activity on its side of border with Syria indicates military action is coming

Relationship between two nations is strained, especially after Turkish plane shot down Russian fighter

News comes as warring sides take break from peace talks in Geneva

Istanbul (CNN) Turkish forces aren't preparing to invade northern Syria -- and Russia's allegation that they are is an attempt to hide Moscow's crimes in the war-ravaged nation, a source within the Turkish Prime Minister's office told CNN on Thursday.

"Simply they are diverting attention from their attacks on civilians as a country already invading Syria," the source told CNN. "Turkey has all the rights to take any measures to protect its own security."

The comments come after Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov was quoted by Russian state news agency Ria Novosti as saying Moscow believes some activity on the Turkish side of the border with Syria indicates preparations for an incursion.

"The signs of hidden preparation of Turkish armed forces for activities in the territory of Syria we notice more and more," the general said.

When asked about the Russian claim at a media briefing, John Kirby, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said: "I'm not certainly not going to get up here and speak to what the Turks are doing on that border on any given day."

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