Morrison warns of retaliatory Russian cyberattacks

The Australian Prime Minister on Wednesday accused Russia of behaving like "thugs and bullies," and suggested the newly imposed sanctions may draw retaliation in the form of cyberattacks. "We can't have some suggestion that Russia has some just case here that they're prosecuting," Scott Morrison told reporters in Sydney.

"They're behaving like thugs and bullies, and they should be called out as thugs and bullies." Adding, "we have already been taking action on cyber defences and that has been done privately already, with many companies alerting them to the risk of potential counter-responses by Russia and other actors in response to these decisions."

He also said that targeted financial sanctions and travel bans will be the first batch of measures in response to Russian aggression toward Ukraine. Morrison admitted that although Australia doesn't have vast amounts of trade with Russia, he felt it important that the country takes its place on the world stage.

"It's important that we play our part in the broader international community to ensure that those who are financing, profiting from an autocratic and authoritarian regime that is invading its neighbour should have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide when it comes to trying to move their money around and avoid the consequences of supporting this type of behaviour," he said.

The PM also highlighted his request for visa applications from Ukrainians to move to the top of the pile. "I've also instructed today the Minister for Immigration (Alex Hawke) to accelerate the conclusion of Ukrainian visa applications to Australia," he said.

Australia and Russia have imposed sanctions on each other since 2014. The sanctions were initiated by Australia in protest of Russian involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The National Security Committee of Morrison's Cabinet approved sanctions and travel bans that target eight members of the Russian Security Council. They also agreed to expand previous sanctions and to align with the United States and Britain by targeting Russian banks.