Putin Warns Western Troops in Ukraine Would Be 'Legitimate Targets'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that any Western military forces deployed to Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets by Moscow. Speaking at an economic forum in Vladivostok, Putin stated, "If some troops appear there, especially now, during military operations, we proceed from the fact that these will be legitimate targets for destruction."

This statement follows French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that 26 countries have pledged to provide post-war security guarantees to Ukraine, potentially involving international forces on land, sea, and air. Putin emphasized that such deployments would be unnecessary if a peace agreement is reached, asserting, "If decisions are reached that lead to peace, to long-term peace, then I simply do not see any sense in their presence on the territory of Ukraine, full stop."

In a related development, Ukrainian drones targeted the Ryazan oil refinery, one of Russia's largest, causing significant fires. Ryazan region Governor Pavel Malkov confirmed the attack, noting that eight drones had been shot down in the area and reporting no casualties or damage to homes.