07.11.2026 23:42
Russia reacted sharply to the military exercise that European countries will hold on November 9-22 as part of preparations for deploying a multinational force to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that foreign military units to be sent to Ukraine would be considered "legitimate targets" by the Russian army. Zakharova also drew attention to the fact that the exercise coincides with the run-up to Russia-US-Ukraine negotiations planned to be held in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, in her written statement, assessed that some European countries will hold military exercises under the name "Koalicja 26.2" as part of preparations for multinational forces planned to be deployed to Ukraine on November 9-22.
Noting that Western countries do not want to take Russia's legitimate security concerns into account and continue to escalate tensions, Zakharova stated that the UK and France aim to create a foothold for the fight against Russia by deploying multinational forces to Ukraine and to inflict a military defeat on Russia.
"ANY MILITARY UNIT IN UKRAINE WILL BE CONSIDERED A LEGITIMATE TARGET"
Emphasizing that the deployment of foreign military units to Ukraine is absolutely unacceptable from Russia's perspective, Zakharova reported that whether this is carried out under the "Coalition of Volunteers" or under the umbrella of another formation, it will not change this position.
Zakharova stated that the deployment of foreign troops to Ukraine would effectively amount to military intervention and create additional threats to Russia's security.
Stating that this would mean greater involvement of NATO-member European countries in the conflict and an increase in tension, Zakharova said, "Any military unit in Ukraine will be considered a legitimate target by the Russian Armed Forces. All the risks and consequences this will bring must also be taken into account."
Spokesperson Zakharova noted that attempts aimed at inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia will fail and that all goals set by the Russian leadership within the framework of the "special military operation" in Ukraine will be achieved.
"IT ONCE AGAIN CONFIRMS THAT EUROPEANS HAVE NO PLACE AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE"
Noting that it is remarkable that the exercise by European countries is being organized immediately before negotiations between Russia, the US and Ukraine are set to resume in Abu Dhabi, Zakharova said, "It is also symbolic that these exercises are being launched immediately before the resumption of settlement negotiations in the Russia-US-Ukraine format in Abu Dhabi. This once again confirms that Europeans have no place at the negotiating table."
Trilateral negotiations between Russia, the US and Ukraine are planned to be held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, on November 10-11. In the talks to be held with US mediation, post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian issues and steps toward peace will be discussed.