Russian President Vladimir Putin warned at the BRICS summit in India that any deployment of European troops to Ukraine would amount to a direct conflict or a war with Russia. He stated that European leaders are frightening their populations with an imaginary threat coming from Russia, asserting that this threat does not exist and has never existed.
Meanwhile, Russian strikes have killed three civilians and wounded dozens in Ukraine. As fighting on the front lines has mostly stalled, Russia has increasingly targeted civilian areas in the Ukrainian capital, including a second day of strikes on fuel stations, suggesting a new campaign focused on civilian targets.
In response, Ukraine has attacked Russia with drones, resulting in three deaths on Friday. Additionally, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that two incidents along Ukraine’s borders with Poland and Moldova this week were a preview of potential intensified Russian provocations.