"We have tools that no one else could boast of" – Putin threatens the West with an "instant response" to intervention in Russia's war with Ukraine

He made the comments during a meeting with Russian lawmakers, adding: "Our officers are heroically fulfilling their duty, all tasks will be completed."  He again threatened that there would be consequences for any Western countries that intervene in Ukraine.

"If anyone intends to intervene in foreign events and pose a strategic threat to Russia, our response to counter-attacks will be lightning-fast. We have tools that no one else could boast about. And we will not brag about them. We will use them if necessary," Putin said.

He also reiterated the Russian propaganda line that Kyiv sees the Ukrainian people as an expendable resource and that the Ukrainian authorities were preparing an attack on Donbas.