It is the fifth time a Russian team has triumphed in the women’s premier team competition and the first since 2008.

Switzerland were hoping to win a maiden Billie Jean King Cup but had to settle for second for the second time after finishing runners-up in 1998.

Kasatkina got the RTF off to a flying start with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Jil Teichmann in the opening match.

Teichmann was undone by 16 unforced errors, compared to just four from her opponent in a one-sided first set.

The second set was far closer before three straight breaks put Kasatkina 5-4 ahead.

Serving for the match, Kasatkina drew more errors from Teichmann as she prevailed.

The title was then wrapped up when Samsonova ousted Olympic champion Belinda Bencic with a gripping 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Russian captain Igor Andreev substituted Samsonova in for Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the second match of the day.

The move paid off as Samsonova came from behind to win in two hours and 22 minutes.

"It’s a historic win for us," said Andreev.

"It’s been a long time without any trophies in team tennis.

"I’m very proud and very happy for the girls, the way they played.

"They’re amazing, they’re heroes, and they achieved this because they’re a team – a real team – and real friends."

Samsonova added: "I have too many emotions now - I feel like I’m freezing.

"It’s unbelievable, I’m unbelievably happy.

"Today was an incredible fight - a much more nervous game.

"I was more than tennis."