Local officials reported Saturday that Russian strikes have killed three civilians and injured dozens across Ukraine, intensifying pressure on Kyiv as President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning to European nations against deploying troops to the region.
Speaking to reporters at the BRICS summit in India on Friday, Putin stated that any decision by European governments to send military forces into Ukraine would constitute “a war with Russia.” He further dismissed concerns about aggression against Europe, asserting that Moscow poses no threat and never has.
The escalation comes amid a sustained Russian air campaign utilizing ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones. Officials indicate these attacks are deliberately targeting Ukraine’s power grid ahead of winter, aiming to demoralize the civilian population.
In the city of Zaporizhzhia, regional head Ivan Fedorov confirmed that two people were killed and one wounded overnight when drones struck a residential area. Meanwhile, officials in Kryvyi Rih reported one death and three additional injuries from separate strikes.
The port city of Odesa suffered significant damage from what regional head Oleh Kiper described as a “massive attack.” Among the casualties, 28 people were wounded, and the upper floors of a residential highrise were completely destroyed.
Tensions along Ukraine’s borders have also risen. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that recent incidents at crossing points near Moldova and Poland serve as previews of potential Russian provocations. Tusk noted that two deaths occurred at the Starokozache border crossing with Moldova on Tuesday, while a threat to a Polish-Ukrainian crossing was averted through joint cooperation on Wednesday.
Despite the escalating hostilities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed willingness to meet with Putin if both leaders were invited to the Group of 20 summit in December in Miami. However, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov indicated on Saturday that Putin’s attendance at the summit had not yet been discussed.
The possibility of a European peacekeeping force has drawn repeated rejection from Moscow. While the Kremlin has previously suggested Zelenskyy could travel to Moscow for a meeting, Kyiv has rejected that proposal.
I’m skeptical about Zelenskyy wanting to meet Putin in Miami. If Russia isn’t serious about peace, why propose talks at all?
Targeting the power grid before winter feels particularly cruel. The international community must condemn these strikes on civilians more strongly.
Putin’s threat of direct war seems like standard bluster. Will Europe really back down just because he raises his voice at a BRICS summit?
The scale of damage in Odesa is heartbreaking. Twenty-eight wounded is terrible. We need to focus on humanitarian aid immediately.