Vladimir Putin in chilling 'stern response' warning to Ukraine amid nuclear concerns

In a significant bullish response, President Putin made it clear that if there were any new attacks on Russia, the Kremlin's response would be " very hard... don't doubt it"

In televised remarks, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow launched long-range missile attacks

Vladimir Putin told a meeting with the Russian Security Council that Russia's response to Ukraine's so-called aggression would be "very harsh".

In televised remarks, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow launched long-range missile attacks on Ukraine's energy, military and communications infrastructure on Monday in retaliation for an attack on the bridge connecting the Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula over the weekend.< /p>

This is a significant increase in response, as President Putin has made it clear that if there are further attacks on Russia, the Kremlin's response will be very harsh.

Sunday evening and Monday morning, Russia violently shelled the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities across the country in some of the most intense explosions since February.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (

Picture:

by Reuters)

Preliminary reports suggest that at least eight people died and 24 were injured during the strike in Kyiv at 08:45 local time, as children on their way to school were sent running to get inside. 'shelter. The true toll is thought to be remarkably higher.

In addition to Kyiv, the cities of Lviv, Ternopil, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro were also hit by shelling amid calls for revenge by Russian extremists in retaliation for hitting a bridge in Crimea.

Russia has accused the Ukrainians of carrying out 'terrorist attacks' and Putin appeared to say in his speech that the Kremlin's strikes on civilian infrastructure were a similar response to Ukraine striking the Kerch Bridge - a key thoroughfare between occupation.. .