India, July 4 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a pointed warning this week to Ukraine and what he described as its Western backers, threatening serious consequences if Kyiv continues striking Russian territory, as Russian forces pressed deeper toward the strategically vital eastern city of Konstantinovka and a fresh wave of Russian strikes killed more than 20 people in the Ukrainian capital.

The warning, delivered as Russian state media framed it, came alongside Kremlin claims that Moscow is prepared to escalate further unless attacks attributed to Ukraine and coordinated with what Putin's government calls foreign instigators come to a halt. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, briefing reporters after Putin was reportedly updated ...