THE US Army’s chief commander has fired a thinly-veiled threat at Russia and warned: “We will beat you harder than you have ever been beaten before.”

Chief of Staff General Mark Milley pulled no punches following a fiery war of words between Moscow and Washington DC over the Syria crisis.

6 US Army Chief of Staffl Mark Milley sent a fiery warning to Russia in a speech yesterday Credit: YouTube

6 The Four Star General said the US was ready to beat "any enemy, anywhere, any time" Credit: Getty Images

Only yesterday four Nato nations were forced to scramble fighter jets when Russia sent two bombers on a sabre-rattling run around Western Europe.

And yesterday Milley roared: “I want to be clear to those that wish to do us harm.

"I want be clear to those around the world who want to destroy our way of life and those of our friends and allies.

"The US military, despite all our challenges, will stop you, and we will beat you harder than you have ever been beaten before.

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“We will destroy any enemy, anywhere, any time.”

The comments came barely days after a breakdown in talks over a ceasefire in war-torn Syria – where Russia is supporting embattled dictator Bashar al-Assad.

It has since shipped a high-tech anti-missile system into the Middle Eastern country, US officials said.

6 The warning came after a breakdown in relations over Russian bombing campaigns in Syria Credit: Getty Images

6 US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had been trying to diffuse the escalating Syrian civil war Credit: Getty Images

And yesterday two Russian newspapers discussed the country’s chances of defeating the United States in a potential superpower showdown.

Milley added: “Other countries like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea went to school on us and closely watched how we fought.

“They are rapidly modernising their militaries today to avoid our strengths in the hope of defeating us at some point in the future.”

He later made clear he was referring specifically to Russia, citing recent comments made by its ambassador to the UK, Alexander Yakovenko.

6 Only yesterday, two Russian bombers went on a sabre-rattling run around Western Europe, forcing four Nato members to scramble fighter jets

6 And fiery rhetoric in Russian newspapers on Tuesday predicted a war between the US and Russia

The four-star general continued: “Recently a senior Russian official, ambassador to the UK, Alexander Yakovenko, said ‘the established world order is undergoing a foundational shake up with the Crimea, Russia and Brexit.

“’Russia can now fight a conventional war in Europe and win. Russia is the only nation that will remain relevant forever.

“’Any other country is dispensable and that includes the United States.

"We are at end game now.’”

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