Moscow, Sept. 13 (SANA)Russian PresidentVladimir Putinwarned that sending European troops to Ukraine would amount to direct conflict with Russia, as Moscow rejects possible foreign troop deployments and Russian strikes continue acrossUkraine.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of theBRICSsummit in India on Friday, Putin said that if European governments sent troops into Ukraine, it would mean “a war with Russia.”

The remarks came after some European leaders discussed the possibility of deploying a peacekeeping force or other security arrangements for Ukraine, a prospect Moscow has repeatedly rejected.

Putin also denied that Russia posed a threat to Europe, saying Moscow had no intention of threatening European countries.

The comments came as Russian strikes continued across Ukraine, with local officials reporting civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.

Russian strikes killed civilians and wounded dozens of people, according to Ukrainian officials. Two people were killed and one was injured when Russian drones struck a residential area in Zaporizhzhia, while one person was killed and three others wounded in strikes on Kryvyi Rih.

In the Black Sea port of Odesa and surrounding areas, dozens of people were wounded in a major attack that damaged residential buildings, according to local officials.

Ukraine has warned that Russia’s intensified air campaign, including ballistic missiles and drones, has increased pressure on energy infrastructure ahead of winter.

Separately, Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyysaid Ukrainian forces had struck two chemical industry facilities in Russia, while Russian officials did not immediately comment on the reports.

The conflict has also heightened concerns in Europe over alleged sabotage and hybrid security threats.

German authorities said Russia was responsible for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August, an allegation Moscow has rejected.

A drone carrying an explosive device was discovered on Aug. 4 near a Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport. German investigators said the device failed to detonate.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said examination of the equipment used in the incident, along with intelligence findings, pointed to Russian involvement.

German investigators have linked the case to Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU, according to German media reports citing security sources and investigation files.

The investigation reportedly identified two suspects: Russian citizen Oleg L. and Belarusian citizen Andrei K. German authorities believe Oleg L. was involved in organizing the operation, while Andrei K. was allegedly intended to carry out the attack.

German authorities have accused Russian intelligence services of involvement in the alleged sabotage attempt, while Moscow has rejected the accusations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Germany of fabricating evidence to blame Moscow, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said allegations of Russian involvement in the Leipzig drone incident amounted to “the start of a real war,” according to Russian state media.

European officials announced further measures in response to the Leipzig incident.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union would increase pressure on Russia, including through additional sanctions.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance stood in solidarity with Germany and warned against attempts to divide European countries over support for Ukraine.

The EU and several member states summoned Russian diplomatic officials, while Germany announced measures in response to the incident.

Berlin said it would close Russia’s consulate general in Bonn and end an agreement related to the Russian House cultural center in Berlin.

Germany was also investigating separate suspected sabotage incidents involving energy infrastructure.

Authorities examined possible foreign involvement in incidents affecting power facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg, where investigations were launched after damage to infrastructure.

The cases added to concerns in Europe over possible hybrid threats targeting critical infrastructure.

Zelenskyy said he would meet Putin if both leaders were invited to the Group of 20 summit in December in Miami.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovsaid Moscow was ready for negotiations but added that Russia’s military operations would continue during any negotiation period.

TheKremlinhas previously said Zelenskyy could travel to Moscow for talks with Putin, a proposal Kyiv has rejected.

Putin has said Russia remains open to negotiations while maintaining its stated positions on the conflict.