NATO fighter jets have intercepted Russian warplanes flying over the Baltic Sea – in a defiant move from the deranged Russian despot.

Dramatic footage shows how two French Mirage 2000-5s were able to defend the skies against two Russian Su-30-M aircrafts on Thursday.

The video from Nato Air Command shows how the French jets came head to head with the Russian antagonisers, tailing hot on their heels in an intimidation tactic.

The brave pilots were able to usher Putin’s jets out of the skies before they were sent on a mission near Poland.

The Command added: “Directly after the French fighters were re-tasked to a new mission, where they also intercepted a Russian AN-72 flying in international airspace north of Poland.”

French military authorities later revealed that the Russian SU-30-M fighter aircraft were intercepted “off the Latvian coast,” while the An-72 transport aircraft was intercepted “off the Lithuanian coast.”

The French air force regularly patrols the eastern flank of NATO, as part of efforts by the 31-nation military alliance to boost its defenses against Russia.

The latest confrontation comes as a rambling Putin accused the West of trying to “destroy” Russia.

Addressing the Federal Assembly in Moscow, the tyrant claimed Nato forces are “preparing to strike our territory”.

He said: “They, NATO and America, are active in other parts of the world, of course, and they continue to lie there, to deceive.

“They are preparing to strike our territory and, using the best possible forces, the most effective forces to do so.

“But we remember the fate of those who try to invade our territory and of course their fate will be much more tragic than anything we could face.”

Putin went on to boast how Russia has weapons that “could defeat them [the West] on their own territory” in a chilling warning.

He added: “They should eventually realise that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory.

“Everything that the West comes up with creates the real threat of a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons, and thus the destruction of civilisation.

“Strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness for guaranteed use.”

As Putin continues to cement his power in Moscow, it is feared he is on the brink of another Hitler-style land grab as a breakaway region of Moldova has called on Russia for “protection.”

The Russian-controlled enclave of Transnistria, which shares a border with Ukraine has pleaded with Moscow for help against “pressure” from Chișinău.

The pleas came from pro-Russian officials who suggested the region could become a new flashpoint in Russia’s war with neighbouring Ukraine.

Meanwhile, leaked Russian military files have revealed Putin is much closer to a nuclear strike than ever before.

The bombshell papers reveal what it would take for Putin to hit the red button – including an invasion by China.

Acting Nato spokesman Dylan White has said that Russia’s war against Ukraine “has created the most dangerous security situation in Europe in decades.”

He added: “Nato fighter jets are on duty around the clock, ready to scramble in case of suspicious or unannounced flights near the airspace of our Allies.”

Previous footage showed how British Typhoons swarmed Vladimir Putin’s Tupolev Tu-134 before turning their attention to two Ilyushin Il-78 tankers lurking nearby.

Throughout the four-month mission to protect Nato airspace from Putin’s forces, Britain’s squadron were able to intercept 50 Russian aircraft.

They have now returned to the UK with 500 hours of flying under their belt as the Spanish Air Force takes over the role.