Putin threatens ‘lightning’ fast strikes on any nation that ‘interferes’ with Russia’s war in Ukraine

In a direct threat to the West Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged “lightning” fast strikes on any nation that “interferes” with Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“If anyone ventures to intervene from the outside and [pose] unacceptable threats of a strategic nature to Russia, they should know that our counter-retaliatory strikes will take place with lightning speed,” he said.

Russia once faced international ire this week after it suggested Western support of Kyiv during Russia’s more than 60-day invasion could lead to nuclear warfare.

But despite calls from nations like the U.S. and U.K. to stop the aggressive rhetoric, Putin escalated the tough talk Wednesday.

“We have all the tools to do this. The kind that no one else can boast of right now,” he said alluding to Russia’s deployment of a hypersonic missile last month.

“And we will not boast; we will use them if necessary. I want everyone to know that,” he continued. “All the decisions have been made in this regard.”

NATO nations and other allies pledged to continue to support Ukraine as Russia ramps up its second offensive in eastern and southern Ukraine, in what defense officials have warned will be an even more brutal fight.

Moscow has repeatedly defended its “special military operation” in Ukraine as an attempt to “denazify” certain regions – a claim Ukraine and the West have said is patently incorrect.