Moscow, US on 'the verge of a military clash': Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev

Condemning the US missile strike in Syria, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Friday said the action puts Moscow and Washington "on the verge of a military clash."

"This military action is a clear indication of the US President's extreme dependency on the opinion of the Washington establishment, the one that the new president strongly criticized in his inauguration speech," Medvedev wrote on Facebook.

Medvedev said the missile strike was "really sad for our now completely ruined relations" with the US and "good news for terrorists."

"The Trump administration proved it will fiercely fight the legitimate Syrian government, in a tough contradiction with international law and without UN approval, in violation of its own procedures stipulating that the Congress must first be notified of any military operation unrelated to aggression against the US."

President Trump authorised a missile launch into Syria late on Thursday in response to a chemical attack earlier this week that US and other Western officials believe was conducted by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad.

According to the Pentagon, 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched during the strike, which targeted the Shayrat Air Base, the reported origin of a chemical attack.