Snap Insight: Ukraine’s first strike with US long-range missiles is an astute way of testing Russia

The launch, if confirmed, highlights rapidly rising tensions in the 33-month-old war after Ukraine fired US and British missiles at targets inside Russia this week despite warnings by Moscow that it would see such action as a major escalation.

Hours after Thursday's strike touched off a debate over whether the Ukrainian plant was hit by an intercontinental ballistic missile, President Vladimir Putin made a rare and surprise appearance on Russian television to clear up the mystery.

The Kremlin strongman spoke out after a day of frayed nerves, with Russia test-firing a new generation intermediate-range missile at Ukraine - which Putin hinted was capable of unleashing a nuclear payload.

It comes after Ukraine fired American-made ATACMS missiles deeper into Russia.