French President Reveals Delivery of New Interceptor Missiles to Ukraine

Paris, August 22 (KUNA) -- French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Saturday that France has delivered new interceptor missiles to Ukraine, following recent Russian attacks that resulted in casualties. The announcement came in a post by Macron on his X (formerly Twitter) account, in which he said he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the Russian strikes on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih, which caused a large number of civilian casualties. Macron added that “Russia continues its aggression through these strikes and attacks on Kyiv this week, and is seeking to escalate it.” He noted that “the systematic targeting of civilians and the choice of intimidation and escalation tactics may be an attempt by Russia to demonstrate its strength, but it reveals above all its weakness.” He stressed the need to provide Ukraine with all the means necessary to defend its airspace and counter this aggression. He pointed out that he had informed Zelenskyy of France’s intention to strengthen its support for Ukraine by sending interceptor missiles and continuing cooperation in line with the founding meeting of the Alliance for Missile Defense held in Paris on July 13 and the declaration of intent signed on November 17, 2025. Macron emphasized “the importance of all countries with the necessary capabilities joining this effort” and “continuing to increase pressure on Russia as long as it refuses to end the fighting and achieve peace.” He concluded his post by stating that “Russia is trying to break Ukraine through terror, but it will not succeed. By standing united alongside Ukraine, we will ensure the victory of law and justice over force.” According to the latest updates issued by Ukrainian authorities and Dnipropetrovsk region governor Oleksandr Honchar, the final toll of victims from the double Russian strike on the Solone Gallery shopping center in Kryvyi Rih rose to 16 dead and 130 injured. (End) M.B./A.M.S.