Putin warns of retaliation if foreign countries intervene in Ukraine

"If someone tries to interfere in the current situation in Ukraine from the outside and create strategic threats to Russia, they should understand that our response will be lightning fast," President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with members of the Council of Legislators, an advisory body to the Russian parliament, yesterday.

President Putin speaks before the Russian Parliament on April 27. Photo: AFP

The Kremlin chief said that this scenario had been mentioned from the very beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia had response tools that its opponents did not yet possess.

"We have tools that no one has ever boasted about, but we will not flaunt them and will only use them if necessary. I want everyone to know about it. We have made all decisions on this issue," President Putin said, without specifying which tools he was referring to.

President Putin ordered the strategic deterrent forces, including those carrying nuclear weapons, to be on high alert and ready to receive combat orders in February. However, British and American officials said they had detected no significant changes in Russia's nuclear forces following Putin's alert order.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said late last month that "no one in Russia thinks about the use or even the idea of ​​using nuclear weapons" and insisted that the country would only use nuclear weapons in case of "a threat to the existence" of the country.

President Putin also oversaw the test of the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on April 20, claiming that the weapon would "make those who threaten our country think again." Observers said the test was intended to show off defense technology achievements, as well as send a message of deterrence to the West about Russia's nuclear power.