Relations between Moscow and Warsaw have reached a new low after Russia voiced fury at Poland's sudden granting to the US of a first strike possibility against Russia.

The timing of the announcement amid escalating international tensions over the conflict in Georgia infuriated Russia, which said the weapons were clearly designed to stop a Russian response to a nuclear attack by the US.

This leaves the US with a “first strike” possibility without the Russians being able to reply in kind.

Polish analyst Beata Gorka-Winters said the deal had inevitably upset Moscow, which regards it as a security threat designed to undermine its own nuclear deterrent.