On December 1, Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree on the implementation of special economic measures against Turkey amid deteriorating bilateral relations between the two countries after the downing of a Russian Su-24 jet over Syria.
The decree "on measures to ensure national security of the Russian Federation from criminal and other illegal activities and the use of special economic measures against the Republic of Turkey" contains provisions for curbing the employment of Turkish citizens by Russian employers. The restrictions on work visas will not apply to certain construction companies with long-term contracts in Russia.
A total of 53 entities have been exempted from the ban on hiring Turkish citizens. The exempted companies will, however, be prohibited from exceeding the total number of Turkish employees hired by them as of December 31.
On November 24, a Russian Su-24 bomber was brought down by an air-to-air missile fired from a Turkish F-16 fighter jet in response to an alleged violation of Turkish airspace.