Russia on Monday vowed to deliver a "painful" response to fresh US sanctions on seven top officials and 17 Kremlin-linked firms that are meant to punish President Vladimir Putin's stance on Ukraine.

"We will, of course, respond," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the Interfax news agency. "We are certain that this response will have a painful effect on Washington."

He provided no further details but stressed that Russia had a "broad range" of options.

White House spokesman Jay Carney had earlier said in a statement that Washington was taking further action against members of Putin's inner circle "in response to Russia's continued illegal intervention in Ukraine and provocative acts that undermine Ukraine's democracy" and territorial integrity.

But Ryabkov said Washington's measures would only escalate tensions around the culturally splintered ex-Soviet state.

"We are disgusted with the statement issued by the White House press secretary," said Ryabkov.

"Every word used by the White House press secretary in the statement confirms that the United States has completely lost touch with reality and is leading things toward an escalation of the crisis."