Russian strikes killed eight civilians and wounded dozens across Ukraine on Saturday, local officials reported, as Russian President Vladimir Putin warned European governments against deploying troops to Ukraine, calling it a declaration of war.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces struck two chemical industry facilities in Russia, targeting sites in Samara and Perm. Regional governors did not immediately comment, but Russian independent outlet Astra reported drone attacks on chemical plants in both regions.
Civilian toll mounts amid intensified Russian strikes
Russian attacks targeted residential areas, power infrastructure, and border crossings, with local officials reporting casualties in multiple regions. In Zaporizhzhia, two people were killed and one wounded after drones struck a residential area overnight, according to regional head Ivan Fedorov. In Kryvyi Rih, one person died and three others were wounded in separate strikes.
In Odesa, a regional official reported 35 people wounded in a "massive attack" that damaged a residential high-rise, with its upper floors destroyed. In the partially occupied Donetsk region, three people were killed when cars were hit by drones. An additional two civilians died in a Russian attack on a grocery store in the Zhytomyr region.
Putin’s warning on European troop deployment
Speaking at the BRICS summit in India on Friday, Putin stated that any deployment of European troops to Ukraine would constitute a direct conflict with Russia. "Now they’re talking about how they’re considering sending troops into Ukraine. That means a war with Russia," he said.
Several European leaders have discussed the possibility of a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, a prospect Moscow has repeatedly rejected. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned Thursday that recent incidents along Ukraine’s borders with Poland and Moldova could signal increased Russian provocations at crossing points. He cited two incidents: a drone strike at the Starokozache border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova, which killed two people, and a "direct threat" to a Polish-Ukrainian crossing that was averted through cooperation between Warsaw and Kyiv.
Ukraine’s retaliatory strikes on Russian chemical plants
Zelenskyy confirmed Ukrainian forces targeted chemical industry facilities in Samara and Perm, though Russian regional governors did not immediately respond. Russian independent outlet Astra reported drone attacks on the plants, which are located in central Russia. The Ukrainian military did not provide further details on the operation.
Context: Russia’s winter strategy and European responses
Ukrainian officials allege Russia’s intensified air campaign—using ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones—is aimed at demoralizing civilians and degrading Ukraine’s power grid ahead of winter. Moscow has not commented on these claims.
European discussions on troop deployment remain unresolved, with some leaders emphasizing diplomatic solutions while others advocate for stronger deterrence measures. Putin’s remarks underscore Russia’s opposition to any foreign military presence in Ukraine, framing such actions as escalatory.
Local officials continue to assess damage and casualties as Ukraine braces for further attacks.