Ukraine war briefing: Macron focuses on delivery of missile interceptors as Russian attacks intensify

French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed France’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s air defences following a call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid escalating Russian missile strikes that have pushed civilian casualties to their highest levels since the early stages of the invasion.

During the conversation, Macron emphasized the urgency of delivering interceptor missiles to Ukraine, as part of broader efforts to strengthen Kyiv’s ability to counter Russian aerial attacks. The pledge comes as part of an ongoing initiative with the Anti-Missile Coalition, a group of 10 European nations established in July to develop a cost-effective alternative to the US Patriot missile system. The coalition aims to deploy France’s SAMP/T air defence system in Ukraine and enable local production of interceptors, alongside other advanced munitions such as the SCALP cruise missile.

Zelenskyy, in a statement on Telegram, welcomed the accelerated delivery of French military equipment, highlighting the importance of securing production licences for missile manufacturing. Macron echoed this sentiment in a post on X, stressing the need to equip Ukraine with the necessary tools to defend its airspace against relentless Russian aggression.

The recent surge in Russian ballistic missile strikes has disproportionately targeted Kyiv, where super-fast, high-altitude weapons have overwhelmed civilian infrastructure and emergency response efforts. The Kremlin has framed Ukraine’s retaliatory strikes as provocations, with President Vladimir Putin warning of escalating consequences. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s allies in the Coalition of the Willing—led by France and Britain—are set to convene on Monday to explore additional measures to pressure Moscow into ending the invasion.

Macron conveyed his shock over a deadly Russian strike on a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy’s hometown, which killed 16 people. The attack occurred just hours after a separate missile strike in Kyiv’s Boryspil district, where two civilians were killed during a visit by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. Russia’s defence ministry claimed the strikes targeted military logistics, including vehicles linked to drone operations and army positions in the Odesa region.