French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Saturday that France would deliver new interceptor missiles to Ukraine, following a devastating Russian attack on a shopping centre in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih. The strike, which occurred in two waves on Friday, killed at least 16 people and injured 130 others, including 23 children, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The attack on the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy drew swift condemnation from European leaders. Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, described the assault as "terror by design," underscoring the brutality of the ongoing Russian campaign.
In a post on X, Macron said he had spoken with Zelenskyy after the daylight "double strike" and expressed his "horror" and "deep concern" over the incident. "It is crucial to provide Ukraine with all the necessary means to defend its airspace and thwart this aggression," he wrote, adding that he had informed Zelenskyy of Paris' "increased support, including the deployment of interceptors."
Macron also stressed the need to maintain pressure on Moscow: "We must also continue to increase the pressure on Russia as long as it chooses to refuse to halt the fighting and make peace."
Zelenskyy, in his own post, said the two leaders spoke for nearly two hours, covering Ukraine's air defence needs, funding, and communications with Washington. He confirmed that they agreed to accelerate the delivery of the latest French equipment and missiles, and thanked Macron for confirming France's readiness to provide licences for missile production.
Kyiv has long pleaded with its allies for more interceptor missiles as it continues to fend off Russian missile and drone attacks. The need has become more acute as Russia has intensified its aerial bombardments, targeting civilian infrastructure and urban centres. The rescue work in Kryvyi Rih continues, with the death toll expected to rise.
Ukraine's long-range response
In the last 24 hours, Ukraine launched its own strikes against Russian territory, hitting the Novokuybyshevsk oil refinery and a logistics hub in the Samara region, as well as targets in the Black Sea, according to Zelenskyy. These operations are part of Kyiv's strategy of so-called "long-range sanctions" aimed at crippling the Russian economy and grinding down Vladimir Putin's war machine.
The announcement from Paris comes as European allies grapple with how to sustain military support for Ukraine amid political uncertainties. The Coalition of the Willing is set to meet in Kyiv on Ukraine's independence anniversary, with discussions likely to focus on air defence and long-term security guarantees.
France's pledge is a significant boost for Ukraine, which has been seeking to bolster its air defences against Russian cruise missiles and drones. The provision of interceptor missiles, along with licences for domestic production, could help Ukraine build a more sustainable defence capability.
European leaders have repeatedly called for increased support for Ukraine, but the pace of deliveries has often lagged behind Kyiv's needs. The attack on Kryvyi Rih has renewed urgency, with many arguing that every delay costs lives. As Macron noted, the international community must act decisively to help Ukraine defend its skies and deter further aggression.
