Russian airstrikes resulted in the deaths of three civilians and injuries to numerous individuals in Ukraine, as confirmed by local authorities on Saturday. This occurred shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned against the deployment of European troops in Ukraine, stating that such actions would lead to a direct confrontation with Russia.
Ukraine is facing escalating pressure from Russia’s intensified aerial assaults utilizing ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones to breach defensive lines. The attacks, primarily targeting Ukraine’s power grid, are believed to be aimed at undermining civilian morale as winter approaches, according to officials.
In the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, two individuals lost their lives and one was wounded in a residential area following strikes by Russian drones overnight, reported Ivan Fedorov, the regional head. Additionally, in Kryvyi Rih, local officials confirmed one fatality and three injuries as a result of the strikes.
A “massive attack” in the Black Sea port of Odesa and its vicinity led to the injury of 35 individuals, described as devastating by regional head Oleh Kiper. Among the structures hit was a residential highrise, with upper floors completely destroyed.
During the BRICS summit in India on Friday, Putin addressed reporters, warning that any European military intervention in Ukraine would trigger a war with Russia. European leaders have expressed support for a potential peacekeeping force, a proposal repeatedly rejected by Moscow.
Despite recent incursions, Putin denied any threat posed by Russia to Europe, stating that such threats have never existed. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted two incidents along Ukraine’s borders with Poland and Moldova as indications of potential heightened Russian provocations at border crossings with Europe.
In an interview published on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed willingness to meet with Putin at the upcoming Group of 20 summit in Miami in December, if both leaders are invited. However, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, mentioned that the possibility of Putin’s attendance at the summit has yet to be discussed. The Kremlin has previously suggested that Zelenskyy could visit Moscow for a meeting with Putin, an offer that Kyiv has turned down.
