Ukraine crisis and Russia's missile test
A Russian "TOS-1 Buratino" multiple rocket launcher fires during the "Russia Arms Expo 2013" 9th international exhibition of arms, military equipment and ammunition, in the Urals city of Nizhny Tagil, Reuters file photo

Russia has test-fired a strategic intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) amid the ongoing unrest in neighbouring Ukraine even as the west fears Moscow is gearing up for large-scale military intervention in the country.

Moscow's Strategic Missile Forces test-fired the RS-24 Yars equipped with re-entry warhead from Plesetsk, 800km northeast of Moscow.

The launch took place at about 10:40am local time.

"The main task of the launch was to confirm the reliability of a batch of missiles manufactured at the Votkinsk plant, in Udmurtia," said Colonel Igor Yegorov, spokesperson for the defence ministry's Strategic Missile Force unit, reports ITAR TASS news agency.

Moscow's latest test has come amid the deepening crisis in the eastern Ukrainian cities.

The "large-scale anti-terror operation" by the Kiev administration against the pro-Russian protesters appears to have begun. Russia had earlier warned that Kiev's military action would have serious repercussions.

Ukraine Moscow Ukraine crisis