Russian president Vladimir Putin today ordered his generals to respond 'firmly' to any threats against his forces in Syria.

Addressing a meeting of his top military brass, which was televised, he said: 'I order you to act as tough as possible. Any targets threatening the Russian grouping or our land infrastructure should be immediately destroyed.'

These comments come two weeks after a Russian bomber was shot down by a Turkish F16 close to the Syrian border. Putin did not mention Turkey by name in today's speech, but he said that fighter jets were now accompanying all bombing missions and that an advanced ground-to-air S400 Growler missile system was also operational.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, pictured today addressing a military conference in Moscow said his forces will hunt down and destroy any 'targets threatening the Russian grouping or land infrastructure'

Putin, pictured, said he had provided aid to the opposition Syrian Free Army in their fight against ISIS

Since September 30, Russian aircraft have flown 4,000 sorties over Syria, although following the downing of one bomber by Turkey, all missions are now supported by specialist fighter jets and ground to air missiles

Turkey accused the Russian bomber of crossing the frontier. This has been denied by Moscow.

However, Turkey has responded to the veiled threat from Putin. Foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said: 'If we are not responding to all that they have done until now, it is not because we are afraid or because any psychology of guilt.'

Russia claims that it's military activity is entirely justified as they have been invited by the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to help him crush an uprising.

However, the United States has accused Moscow of targeting moderate Syrian opposition forces and not concentrating their fire power exclusively on ISIS.

Putin dismissed this claim and said said the Russian military action helped change the situation in Syria, supporting the Syrian army offensive.

He said that Russia was also helping some units of the opposition Free Syrian Army, which were fighting 'terrorists' in Syria, providing air cover and supplying them with weapons.

He also said that Russia was 'strengthening of the combat potential of strategic nuclear forces and the implementation of space defence programmes'.

Putin, right, discussed strategy with the chief of the Russian Army general staff Valery Gerasimov, left

Putin praised this air force and navy's response to the Syrian crisis and promised further action

Putin heard from defence minister Sergei Shoigu that 8,000 terrorist targets have been destroyed

Russia's defence minister Sergei Shoigu said the country's military had received 35 new intercontinental ballistic missiles this year as part of an ambitious arms modernisation effort.

They had also received 243 aircraft, 90 air defense systems and 1,172 tanks and other armored vehicles.

Mr Shoigu said Russian warplanes have flown a total of 4,000 combat sorties in Syria since the launch of air campaign there.

Sergei Shoigu said Friday Russian aircraft have destroyed 8,000 'terrorist' targets in Syria since the strikes began on Septepmber 30.

He added that Russia helped restore a tank repair factory in the Syrian province of Homs, which he said is now working at full scale.

According to Russian news agency Tass, Putin addressed the shooting down of one of his bombers by Turkey last month.

Russian forces have been bombing targets in Syria since September, including this TU-22M3 Blackjack

Russia has released images of its forces attacking oil convoys reportedly controlled by ISIS heading to Turkey

He said: 'We have already taken additional measures to ensure security of Russian servicemen and air base. It was strengthened by new aviation groups and missile defense systems.

'Strike aircraft will now carry out operations under cover of fighter jets.'

He continued: 'The combined operation of the Aerospace Defence Forces and the Navy, the use of newest high precision weapons systems has caused a serious damage to the terrorist infrastructure, thus qualitatively changing the situation in Syria.

'It’s important to develop cooperation with all countries really interested in destroying terrorists. I am talking about contacts on ensuring flight safety with the command post of Israel’s air force and forces.'

Putin denied he was using the conflict as an opportunity to test new weapons systems. 'Our actions there are not due to any unclear and abstract geopolitical interests and the wish to get training and test new weapons systems. This is not the most important thing. The goal is to avert the threat for the Russian Federation itself.'

He warned ISIS against moving into the Russian Caucasus area.