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The US is installing anti-ballistic missile defence systems around the world in preparation for a nuke attack on Russia or China, one of Vladimir Putin’s military chiefs has said.

Washington has deployed missile barrages capable of shooting down incoming rockets in Europe and on ships in oceans around the world.

(Image: AFP)

The THAAD anti-missile defence system is being set up in South Korea, supposedly to protect the key ally from attacks from North Korea.

China has objected – saying the US is really using the defence system’s radar to spy on its military.

And Russia has also balked at the new ring of steel appearing on its border.

The US insists the missile barrages are only meant to protect against “rogue states”, like the Hermit Kingdom and Iran.

But Lt Gen Viktor Poznikhir, deputy head of operations for the Russian General Staff, believes they have another purpose.

(Image: GETTY)

He said: “The presence of US missile defence bases in Europe, missile defence vessels in seas and oceans close to Russia creates a powerful covert strike component for conducting a sudden nuclear missile strike against the Russian Federation.

“Applying sudden disarming strikes targeting Russian or Chinese strategic nuclear forces significantly increases the efficiency of the US missile defence system.”

By coincidence – or not – the US test fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile capable of firing a nuclear warhead at Russia yesterday.

Poznikhir said computer simulations confirm the missile systems are directed against Russia and China.

He said they already cover all possible trajectories of Russian ballistic missiles aimed at the US.

They will only get more advanced as new low-orbit satellites complement the existing radar systems, he said.

(Image: GETTY)

And he went on the allege the “defence systems” could be used for attack.

The general said the barrages could be loaded with Tomahawk cruise missiles – like those used to blast Russia’s ally Syria – and fired in offence.