Russia has issued a stark warning against any multinational force being stationed in Ukraine after a potential peace deal. On July 15, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Moscow would not accept troops from the so-called ‘coalition of the willing’ and would treat them as legitimate military targets. She described such a deployment as foreign intervention and a threat to Russia’s security.
Western allies, meeting in Paris this week, reiterated plans to send a force after hostilities cease to reassure Ukraine and help rebuild its military. They announced upcoming military exercises to demonstrate readiness of the Multinational Force for Ukraine (MNF-U).
The warning comes as fighting intensifies in southern Ukraine. In Odesa, a Russian missile struck a seven-storey residential building, killing three people and injuring at least three others, according to Governor Oleh Kiper. Russian drone and missile attacks have struck civilian, industrial, and port infrastructure for five consecutive days.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has expanded its drone campaign against Russian vessels. Commander Robert Brovdi of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces reported that 20 Russian vessels were struck in the Black Sea overnight on July 15. Sources said Ukrainian attacks have forced Russia, the world’s largest grain exporter, to limit shipping in the Sea of Azov.
Article and image source: russiaherald.com
