ON EDGE
PARANOID Vladimir Putin has deployed air defence systems around Moscow as the tyrant fears being toppled amid his disastrous war in Ukraine.
Pantsir-S1 and S-400 defence systems have been positioned on rooftops across the capital, which are designed to intercept missiles and aircraft.
11
11
11
11
Humiliated Putin appears to be frantically bolstering defence measures in the city, terrified of being wiped out as his calamitous invasion rages on.
One Pantsir-S1 system has emerged just six miles from Putin’s official residence near Moscow - seemingly to protect the fearful president from drones and missiles.
A video shows the lethal structure being deployed in Zarechye village, Moscow Oblast - close to Putin's country retreat Novo-Ogarevo, according to the Sirena Telegram channel.
Another powerful Pantsir-S1 complex has been installed on top of the headquarters of the Russian Ministry of Defence on Frunzenskaya Embankment.
More on Russia
Meanwhile, a clip appears to show the same system being lifted onto a roof in the Taganka district, just one-and-a-half miles from the Kremlin.
Pantsir S-1 systems combine anti-aircraft guns and missiles to intercept helicopters, cruise missiles and aircraft.
They have a maximum range of 20km and its guns can fire up to 40 rounds per second, according to Missile Threat.
Meanwhile, S-400 missile defence systems - which have a range of 400km - appear to have been positioned in two locations.
Most read in The Sun
One has been deployed in fields owned by the Russian State Agricultural University, while another has been positioned in the Losiny Ostrov National Park.
It is reported more systems have been installed at other sites in Moscow, as Putin increases his defences in the capital city daily.
S-400 systems, often used in tandem with Pantsir systems, are used to bring down aerial threats including aircraft as well as cruise and ballistic missiles.
They can reach altitudes up to 30km and shoot down 80 targets at the same time.
It comes as panicked Putin - rumoured to be suffering from cancer and early-stage Parkinson's disease - fears Ukrainian missiles could rain down on Moscow as his troops fail to overpower Zelensky's forces.
The tyrant arrogantly believed he could sweep in and seize Kyiv within a matter of days.
But almost 11 months on, heroic Ukrainian defenders continue to push back - causing Russia to suffer huge losses to its arsenal as well as tens of thousands of deaths.
Officials in Kyiv have been begging the US to send long-range missiles that can blast targets more than 160km away.
Authorities in the US have so far held off shipping the formidable weapons to Ukraine - but officials told Politico they are "likely" to now send GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb) Long Range Missiles.
The missiles would better equip Ukraine to launch strikes on Russia.
Ben Hodges, former commanding general of US Army Europe, wrote on Twitter: “GLSDB will reduce sanctuary for Russians.
"Life is about to start getting very uncomfortable for Russian navy, air force and ammunition handlers on Crimea."
Russia's foreign ministry previously warned the US not to supply Kyiv with longer-range missiles, saying it would cross a "red line" and make the country "party to conflict".
'SPEED UP'
Putin's fears Kyiv could strike Mosscow comes after two Russian air bases were blasted in December in suspected Ukrainian drone strikes.
Drone strikes hit the Engels-2 airbase, near the city of Saratov, and the Dyagilevo military base close to the city of Ryazan on December 5.
The Engels airbase was blasted again on December 26 in attacks Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out.
Two Tu-95 bombers were damaged at Engels airbase, while three people were killed at Dyagilevo after a fuel truck blew up.
Zelensky has previously insisted his troops would not attack Russian territory.
It comes as Zelensky today urged Nato leaders to speed up the delivery of military support - including badly needed heavy armour.
In an address likely to further infuriate Putin, Zelensky urged assembled defence ministers to agree in "principle" to supply his forces with modern battle tanks - putting pressure on Germany to authorise the release of its Leopard 2 battle tanks.
He said: "We have to speed up.
"Time must become our weapon, just like air defence and artillery, armoured vehicles and tanks, which we are negotiating about with you and which will actually make a victory,
"You can start this policy today. It is in your power to make a Ramstein of tanks.
"Not to bargain about different numbers of tanks but to open [the] principle [of] supply that will stop Russian evil."
The meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany is the latest in a series since Russia invaded Ukraine almost 11 months ago.
Ex-Russian president Dmitry Medvedev - one of Putin's top allies - appeared to urge Nato countries to halt sending weapons to Zelensky's troops.
He threatened to unleash nuclear war on the West if Russia is defeated in Ukraine.
As his war continues to falter, the tyrant is allegedly preparing for a new offensive that could see 700,000 soldiers pour into Ukraine.
Kyiv has been warning over the winter that Putin's forces will be gearing up for renewed attack in 2023.
Meanwhile, Zelensky suggested Putin may already be dead in a bizarre speech on Thursday.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Ukraine's president also told world leaders he is not sure who makes decisions in the Kremlin following claims Putin's recent appearances have been faked using TV special effects.
11
11
11
11
11
11
11