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Minutes before the United States fired 59 missiles against Syria, Russia’s deputy UN envoy Vladimir Safronkov said: “Think about negative consequences”. Safronkov added: "We have to think about negative consequences, negative consequences, and all the responsibility if military action occurred will be on shoulders of those who initiated such doubtful and tragic enterprise."

GETTY Russia has threatened Donald Trump with consequences if he attacks Syria

Horrific images depict sickening chemical gas attack in Syria Tue, April 4, 2017 At least 58 people, including nine children, were killed in an air raid that released "toxic gas" on the rebel-held Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun Play slideshow EPA 1 of 13 A child receiving treatment at a field hospital after an alleged chemical attack in Idlib, northen Syria

REUTERS Trump did not seek Congress approval for Syria strike, but US politicians have applauded him

The US military believes the strike has “severely damaged or destroyed Syrian aircraft and support infrastructure” – as many as 14 fighter jets have been destroyed. Responding to the attack, President Trump held an impromptu press conference and said: “Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the military airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched. “It is in vital national security interests of the United States to prevent the spread and use of chemical weapons.”

.@POTUS Trump delivers statement on targeted, military strike on airfield in #Syria from where chemical attack was launched. pic.twitter.com/N54VvI88sc — Department of State (@StateDept) April 7, 2017

The Pentagon has confirmed Russia was notified of the strike. Spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said: “Russian forces were notified in advance of the strike using the established deconfliction line. US military planners took precautions to minimise risk to Russian or Syrian personnel located at the airfield." However, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said: "There were no discussions or prior contacts, nor had there been any since the attack with Moscow."

AFP President Trump's missile strike in Syria

Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, both armed services committee hawks who have previously criticised Donald Trump on several occasions, were quick to applaude the US President's offensive. In a joint statement, they said: "We salute the skill and professionalism of the US armed forces who carried out tonight’s strikes in Syria. Acting on the orders of their commander-in-chief, they have sent an important message: the United States will no longer stand idly by as Assad, aided and abetted by Putin’s Russia, slaughters innocent Syrians with chemical weapons and barrel bombs."

GETTY President Assad denied involvement in the gas attack

Moments before Trump launched air-strikes in Syria, the US military said they were studying military options in Syria and President Trump insisted, “something should happen”. As he travelled to Florida to meet the Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Mr Trump suggested he may be taking a stronger stance against Assad, an ally of Iran and Russia. Mr Trump told reporters on his Air Force One: “I think what Assad did is terrible.”

GETTY President Trump appeared calm after he launched the strikes against Syria