READY FOR WAR Putin stages hypersonic war games in Med as two warships blast 6,900mph missiles in message to West over Syria & Ukraine

A MENACING Vladimir Putin staged provocative war games in the Mediterranean today in a blatant show of strength to the West. The despot's latest aggression came amid major tension with rebel advances in Syria, where he protects his authoritarian dictator pal Bashar al-Assad. It coincided with deep tension in Ukraine, and was aimed to show he has a global reach beyond Russia’s backyard. Video shows Putin's major warning to the West by firing Tsirkon [Zircon] 6,900 mph hypersonic missiles in the eastern Mediterranean - Europe’s favourite holiday destination. They were blasted by modern frigates Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Golovko.