Russia tests intercontinental missile as tensions over Ukraine increase

The test of the Topol RS-12M missile came at the United States stepped up pressure on Moscow amid warnings from Secretary of State John Kerry that measures “to isolate Russia politically, diplomatically and economically” would be put in place unless Russia ordered its troops in Crimea back to their barracks.

Mr Kerry’s warning came as David Cameron said Russia’s failure to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine was “unacceptable” and that any further incursion would be met by “further steps” from the international community.

Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted it was “absolutely legitimate” for Moscow to use “all available means” to protect the Russian-speaking population of Ukraine – and left no doubt this included military force as a “last resort”, although he yesterday ordered thousands of soldiers on a military exercise near Ukraine’s eastern border back to their bases.

Moscow said the missile launch was designed “to test a promising intercontinental ballistic missile payload”. Officials in the US, which has accused Russia of an “act of aggression” in Crimea, said they were given advance notice of the missile launch, as required by bilateral arms treaties.

In a sign of growing friction in the crisis, warning shots were fired at a Crimean air base yesterday after a stand-off between Ukrainian and Russian troops.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said there was a possibility tensions were intentionally being ramped up by Russian provocateurs. He told MPs Russia’s excuses for military intervention in Ukraine were “baseless”.