Vladimir Putin sparks security fears after Russia moves missiles closer to western Europe

RUSSIA sparked security fears after it emerged President Putin has MOVED his missiles - so they’re now stored closer to western Europe.

America warned the provocative act - seen as a direct challenge to Nato’s missile defence system - was “destabilising to European security”.

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Russia’s short-range ballistic missiles will now be permanently stationed in Kaliningrad - a region between the Nato states of Poland and Lithuania.

The move is widely seen as Putin’s retaliation to a military build-up by the Nato alliance in eastern Europe.

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US State Department spokesman John Kirby said moving the missiles was “destabilising to European security” and added: “We call on Russia to refrain from words or deeds that are inconsistent with the goal of promoting security and stability.”

Putin justified the deployment by claiming it was a response to threats from NATO and US-led forces in eastern Europe.

In an interview with filmmaker Oliver Stone, broadcast in Russia last night, he said: "Why are we reacting to NATO expansion so emotionally? We are concerned by NATO's decision making.

"What should we do? We have, therefore, to take countermeasures, which means to target with our missile systems the facilities, that, in our opinion, start posing a threat to us."

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The move follows claims Russia is developing a terrifying new fighter jet that can wipe out enemy planes using only a laser.

Deputy Defence Minister Yuri Borisov confirmed the revolutionary A-60 plane is being developed – and it could change aerial warfare forever.

But despite the tubthumping manner of Putin's missile move, only earlier this year the Russian President was awarded an international peace prize after causing devestation in Aleppo and his shipping nuclear-capable missiles closer to European border.

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The Russian premier has become the first winner of the Hugo Chavez prize – an award invented by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.