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Trump tweeted: "Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!”

"You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!"

The US President's tweet esclates tensions to a new level amid reports of an imminent strike by US forces on the Syrian regime.

Russia are allies with dictator Bashar al-Assad and are expected to defend him should the US attack – with US accusing Putin of having "blood on his hands".

US warplanes were spotted flying over Syria last night, and destroyer USS Donald Cook is operating in the Mediterranean.

Britain and France are being called upon by the US to join any military action against Assad.

Dozens of civilians– including children – were killed in the strike on the rebel held town of Douma.

Trump decided to strike Syria last year, launching a blitz of 59 missiles over a chemical attack – but Russia failed to respond.

The US President had promised to act on the latest attack within 48-hours, and said “major decisions” will be made and “all options” are on the table.

Flights have been diverted around the war-torn country for the next 72 hours amid fears of an imminent strike.

(Image: TWITTER) (Image: GETTY)

Russia’s ambassador to Lebanon – Alexander Zasypkin – cited Putin and Russia’s top generals as he claimed Moscow will not allow the US to attack Syria.

He outright threatened Russian forces would shoot down US missiles, as well as striking the “source”.

This could refer to US military bases, US warships in the Mediterranean, or US warplanes launched from nearby bases in the Middle East.

Speaking on Tuesday, the ambassador said: “If there is a strike by the Americans then the missiles will be downed and even the sources from which the missiles were fired.”

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Hayley said: "The monster who was responsible for these attacks has no conscience.

"The Russian regime, whose hands are all covered in the blood of Syrian children, cannot be shamed by pictures of its victims. We've tried that before.”

She added: "We are on the edge of a dangerous precipice. The great evil of chemical weapons use that once unified the world in opposition is on the verge of becoming the new normal.

"The international community must not let this happen. We have reached the moment when the world must see justice done."

(Image: DS)

Russia has furiously denied the attack was anything to do with the Syrian regime, claiming it is a “fake news” and demanding further investigations.

Syrian air defences shot down five missiles when defending the T4 base which Russia claims were fired by Israeli F-15s following the attack in Douma.

(Image: GETTY)

Russian ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council that his country was being threatened by the US and UK.

He said "Russia is being unpardonably threatened. The tone with which this is being done has gone beyond the threshold of what is acceptable, even during the Cold War."

Russia have responded claimed the US might be trying to cover up the attack in Syria.