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Vladimir Putin has diverted a warship from a routine voyage to protect Syria against further US airstrikes - which has heightened fears of conflict between Russia and the West.

The Russian leader has sent the navy's Admiral Grigorovich frigate to the Mediterranean to position itself between US ships that bombed a military airfield near Homs on Friday.

A Moscow source said the warship, armed with cruise missiles, was due to arrive in the Mediterranean later on Friday after it was moved from an exercise in the Black Sea.

They told Russian news agency TASS : "The Russian ship armed with cruise missiles Kalibr will visit the logistics base in Tartus, Syria."

(Image: Facebook/Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation) (Image: Facebook/Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation) (Image: Getty)

The Russian Defence Ministry added Syrian air defences would be beefed up after the US cruise missile attacks, according to local media.

The ministry was also cited as mocking the effectiveness of the U.S. strikes as "extremely low" saying that 23 missiles had hit their targets but it was unclear where 36 others had landed.

The moves come as the US launched up to 60 Tomahawk missiles from Navy ships in the Mediterranean on Thursday night.

(Image: Facebook/Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation) (Image: Facebook/Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation)

It is believed they bombarded the Al-Shayrat airbase, south of the city of Homs.

Syrian state news claimed nine people were killed in the bombing which included four children. Six Syrian military jets had also been destroyed.

The military action sparked a furious response from the Russian President who appears to have become involved in preventing further conflict.

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(Image: PA)

(Image: MmaGreen/Twitter)

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Mr Putin described the US airstrikes as an "act of aggression" which "violates international law".

While Syrian President Bashar al-Assad branded the bombing "reckless, irresponsible behaviour".

The US launched it attack after blaming the Syrian regime for Tuesday's chemical attack, which killed at least 70 people including many children.

Donald Trump promised tough action against the Syrian leader as he condemned the horrifying scenes which sparked international outrage.