President Vladimir Putin threatened external parties from intervening in the Ukrainian events and warned of a thunderbolt, affirming that Russia, if exposed to any strategic threat, will use weapons that none of its opponents possess.

Putin said in a speech delivered before members of the legislative council in the Russian Federal Assembly in Petersburg today: "All decisions in this regard are ready."

He added: "We have all the capabilities for such a response.. and tools that no one can boast of possessing.. but we will not boast about them, we will use them."

He continued: "If anyone from outside wants to intervene in the situation in Ukraine and create an unacceptable strategic threat, our response will be thunderous, and all decisions in this regard have been made."

Putin renewed his assertion that all objectives of the Russian military operation in Ukraine will be achieved without the slightest doubt, to ensure the security of Donbas, the Russian Crimean Peninsula, and all of Russia.