LONDON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Ukraine had carried out "terrorist acts" against Russia and pledged to react forcefully if they continued.
In televised remarks, Putin said Moscow had launched long-range missile attacks against Ukraine's energy, military and communications infrastructure on Monday in retaliation for an attack on a vital bridge linking Russia to the annexed Crimean peninsula over the weekend.
"It is obvious that the Ukrainian secret services ordered, organised and carried out the terrorist attack aimed at destroying Russia's critical civilian infrastructure," Putin said of the bridge explosion.
Ukrainian officials were exultant after the blast but Kyiv has not claimed responsibility.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said: "Putin is a terrorist who talks with missiles.".
Putin said Russia would respond "harshly" to any further attacks by Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the rush hour attacks appeared to have been deliberately timed to kill people as well as to knock out electricity. »