France to send interceptor missiles to Ukraine

France announced it will deliver new interceptor missiles to Ukraine following a surge in Russian attacks that have pushed civilian deaths to their highest level since the early months of the war. The commitment came as rescuers in the city of Kryvyi Rih sifted through the rubble of a shopping center destroyed in a Russian drone strike that killed at least 16 people.

The French presidency confirmed the missile delivery after a phone call on August 23 between President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Macron said on social media that France would provide interceptors and strengthen cooperation under its Anti-Missile Coalition, stating it is crucial to provide Ukraine with all necessary means to defend its airspace. Zelenskyy said the two leaders spoke for nearly two hours and agreed to accelerate the delivery of French equipment and missiles. He also thanked Macron for confirming readiness to provide licenses for missile production.

The announcement followed a deadly Russian double strike on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih on August 22. Ukrainian authorities reported at least 16 people were killed and more than 100 injured, including 23 children, in...