Russian strikes have killed at least three civilians in Ukraine and wounded dozens of others, according to Ukrainian officials, as Moscow intensifies its aerial campaign and Russian President Vladimir Putin warns European countries against deploying troops to Ukraine.
Two people were killed and another was wounded after Russian drones struck a residential area in Zaporizhzhia, according to regional authorities. Another person was killed in strikes on Kryvyi Rih, where three others were reportedly wounded.
The southern port city of Odesa and surrounding areas also came under what regional officials described as a major Russian attack. At least 28 people were wounded, while a residential high-rise was among the buildings damaged, with its upper floors reportedly destroyed.
Ukrainian officials say Russia is increasingly relying on ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones to penetrate the country’s air defenses. The attacks have also increasingly targeted Ukraine’s power infrastructure ahead of winter, raising concerns about potential disruptions to electricity and other essential services.
The latest strikes came as Putin issued a stark warning to European governments considering the deployment of troops to Ukraine as part of potential security or peacekeeping arrangements.
Speaking at the BRICS summit in India, Putin said that sending European forces into Ukraine would amount to direct conflict with Russia. He also insisted that Moscow does not intend to threaten European countries.
Several European leaders have expressed support for the possibility of a future peacekeeping force in Ukraine, although the issue remains highly contentious and Moscow has repeatedly rejected the presence of European troops in the country.
The escalation also comes amid growing concerns along Ukraine’s borders with neighboring European countries. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said recent incidents involving Russian drones near crossings with Moldova and Poland could signal a broader threat to border infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that he would be willing to meet Putin at the upcoming G20 summit if both leaders were invited. The Kremlin, however, has not confirmed whether Putin plans to attend.
The latest developments highlight the continuing dangers of the Russia-Ukraine war, with intensified Russian attacks adding to civilian casualties while disagreements over possible European involvement threaten to widen the conflict’s geopolitical consequences.
Swifteradio.com
