The Royal Navy's hi-tech anti-aircraft cruiser that can fire eight missiles every 10 seconds is being sent to face down Putin's troops.
HMS Diamond set sail from Portsmouth to the eastern Mediterranean to join offshore patrol vessel HMS Trent as part of the NATO response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Four RAF Typhoon jets are being sent on patrol duty to Cyprus and hundreds of troops are in Estonia and Poland as Ukrainian soldiers battle to hold onto Kyiv from Putin's army.
The family of Chief Petty Officer Sean Baldwin, 35, from nearby Havant, watched as the ship began its journey, with his children heard calling out: "Love you, Daddy".
His proud mum Beverley said: "We are quite apprehensive. We've just got to support him and hope they all come back safe."
Diamond, the Navy's Type 45 destroyer, was due to go on February 17 but was delayed by Storm Eunice and 'minor repairs', the MoD said.
The 8,000 tonne vessel, around 152 metres long and can fire eight missiles every 10 seconds.
Due to its sleek design, it appears virtually invisible on enemy radar and boasts cutting-edge military sensors and a range of sophisticated weapons systems, it has the ability to detect and destroy any threat.
It also boasts long range air target searching, multiple Target tracking, long distance target engagement and has a helicopter platform.
Its deployment comes as western leaders fear mad Vladimir Putin may be planning to launch an invasion of the Baltic states and dragging Britain into a Europe-wide war.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the Russian leader 'won't stop' at Ukraine, with NATO members Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia likely next in the firing line.
Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme on Friday, Wallace said: "Putin is not rational. He won't stop after he's [ finished]… with Ukraine.
"He will use everything in the Baltic states. And we will have to stand up to it."
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But Mr Wallace repeated Britain would not send personnel to Ukraine amid fears it would also spark a wider conflict.
He said: "We've always supported Ukraine's application to NATO over the last 15 years, not every country has wanted them to join.
"We've done the next best thing, which is train over 20,000 Ukrainians, provided them with lethal capabilities, which they are using right now."
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