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Vladimir Putin will not back down as the war drums beat between Moscow and Washington, according to Russian military experts.

The Kremlin and the White House are sitting in a tense standoff as the US accuse Russia of “war crimes” over atrocities in Syria.

Relations have plunged to Cold War levels, but tensions could heat up as it is warned Putin is primed and ready to go to war against the US.

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Russian military man Lt Gen Yevgeny Buzhinsky laid the blame at the door of the West for provoking the anger of the Motherland.

The retired general said: "Of course there is a reaction. As far as Russia sees it, as Putin sees it, it is full-scale confrontation on all fronts. If you want a confrontation, you'll get one.”

"But it won't be a confrontation that doesn't harm the interests of the United States. You want a confrontation, you'll get one everywhere.”

The stark warning comes as the US moves to DEFCON 3 on their nuclear warning system, according to reports.

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Today, Russia accused the US of “unprecedented threats” and “borderline insolence” as talks once again failed to a ceasefire in Syria.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: ""The threats directed against Moscow and our state's leadership are unprecedented because they are voiced at the level of the US vice president.

"To the backdrop of this aggressive, unpredictable line, we must take measures to protect our interests, to hedge risks."

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Moscow media is also openly talking about the possibility of a clash as officials threaten to shoot down US planes using the Kremlin’s newly deployed missile defence system in Syria.

Russia has warned its people to “prepare for war” and urged every citizen to find out where their nearest fallout shelter is should there be a nuclear strike.

Fyodor Lukyanov, Editor-in-Chief of Russia in Global Affairs, said: "Most likely no-one wants to launch a big collision between Russia and the United States. But this is exactly the case when unintended consequences might emerge.”

Cold War deployments are being setup by the Russia military as nuclear bombers sweep the US border and plans are set in motion for new bases in Cuba.

Pentagon chiefs warned Russia could be on the verge of launching a “terrible” nuclear attack on a NATO nation.

Experts have warned Russia could invade “overnight” as the Kremlin has the power and might to launch an invasion “within hours”.