Putin Threatens to Target Foreign Troops in Ukraine as Escalation Continues

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine, particularly while its invasion was still ongoing, would be considered "legitimate targets" by Moscow's forces. This warning came hours after the threat of foreign troops was deemed "unacceptable" by Moscow. Putin also dismissed the idea of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine after a final peace deal, stating that security guarantees would be needed for both Russia and Ukraine.

Key Takeaways:

• Putin warned that any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine during the ongoing invasion would be considered legitimate targets by Moscow's forces.
• The Russian President dismissed the idea of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine after a final peace deal, stating that security guarantees would be needed for both Russia and Ukraine.
• Putin's comments follow remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron that 26 of Ukraine's allies have pledged to deploy troops as a "reassurance force" for Ukraine once fighting ends.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of security guarantees starting during the war and not just after it ends.
• Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with 157 strike and decoy drones, as well as seven missiles of various types, with air defenses shooting down or jamming 121 of the drones.
• At least 15 settlements in Ukraine's Chernihiv region were left without electricity after Russian drones attacked infrastructure.
• Russian troops destroyed 92 Ukrainian drones overnight, according to Russia's Defense Ministry.
• Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, with motorists waiting in long lines and officials resorting to rationing or cutting off sales altogether.

Statistics:

• 26 countries have pledged to deploy troops to Ukraine as a "reassurance force" once fighting ends (Macron).
• 157 strike and decoy drones, as well as seven missiles of various types, were launched by Russia overnight ( Ukraine's air force).
• 121 drones were shot down or jammed by Ukrainian air defenses (Ukraine's air force).
• At least 15 settlements in Ukraine's Chernihiv region were left without electricity after Russian drones attacked infrastructure (local authorities).
• 92 Ukrainian drones were destroyed by Russian troops overnight (Russia's Defense Ministry).
• Ukraine has launched attacks on Russian oil infrastructure in recent weeks, with motorists waiting in long lines and officials resorting to rationing or cutting off sales altogether.

Sources:

• Putin's comments, as cited by The Associated Press.
• Macron's remarks on the coalition of the willing meeting in Paris, as reported by The Associated Press.
• Zelenskyy's address at the Ambrosetti Forum, as reported by The Associated Press.
• Ukrainian air force report on drone attacks, as reported by The Associated Press.
• Local authorities' report on settlements left without electricity, as reported by The Associated Press.
• Russia's Defense Ministry report on destroyed drones, as reported by The Associated Press.
• The Associated Press, "Putin says foreign troops in Ukraine would be 'legitimate targets'".