France Promises Interceptor Missiles for Ukraine Amid Russian Onslaught

France has promised to deliver new interceptor missiles to Ukraine amid escalating Russian attacks. The wave of strikes has pushed civilian deaths in the war to their highest level since the first months of Russia’s invasion.

At least 13 people were killed in a series of attacks that occurred from the evening until Saturday, AFP reported on Saturday (23/8/2026). Seven of the victims were in Ukraine, four in Russia, and two others in Russian-annexed Crimea.

The deadly attacks came as rescue workers in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih were still sifting through the rubble of a shopping centre damaged by a Russian drone strike the previous day. Sixteen people were killed in that attack.

Ukraine’s allies in the Coalition of the Willing, an initiative led by France and Britain, are scheduled to meet on Monday. The meeting will discuss steps to increase pressure on Moscow to halt its invasion of Ukraine.

Diplomatic efforts are currently at an impasse. The United States had previously acted as a mediator in several rounds of direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow.

However, Washington is now said to be distracted by its war with Iran. President Donald Trump’s administration is also frustrated that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has not been resolved as easily as he once claimed.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the plan to deliver the new interceptor missiles in a post on X.

“It is essential to provide Ukraine with all the means necessary to defend its airspace and thwart this aggression,” Macron said.

Russia has in recent months continued to pound Ukraine, especially the capital Kyiv, using ballistic missiles.

These weapons travel at extremely high speeds and can reach their targets within minutes. This leaves Kyiv residents with almost no time to reach underground shelters when attacks occur.