MOSCOW, Oct 10 (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin has threatened a “harsh response” if attacks continue against Russia, hours after his troops launched a massive wave of strikes targeting cities across Ukraine in response to an attack on the Kerch bridge linking Russia and Crimea.

In televised remarks, Putin once again blamed Ukraine for the Kerch Bridge attack, describing it as an “act of terrorism”. Russia had launched long-range missile attacks against Ukraine’s energy, military and communications infrastructure today in retaliation for the bridge attack, he said.

Speaking at a security council meeting in St Petersburg this morning, Putin said: "If attacks continue against Russia, the response will be harsh. The responses will be of the same scale as the threats to Russia. In the event of further attempts to carry out terrorist acts on our territory, Russia’s response will be harsh."