France on Saturday promised to deliver new interceptor missiles to Ukraine amid a surge in Russian strikes that have pushed civilian deaths in the four-and-a-half-year war to their highest since the first months of Moscow's invasion. At least 13 people were killed in strikes overnight and through Saturday -- seven in Ukraine, four in Russia and two in Russia-annexed Crimea. The latest deadly attacks come as rescuers in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rig were sifting through the rubble of a part-destroyed shopping centre, where 16 were killed a day earlier in a Russian drone attack.
Ukraine's allies in the Coalition of the Willing -- an initiative led by France and Britain -- will meet on Monday to look at how to ramp up pressure on Moscow to halt its invasion. Diplomacy has stalled with the United States, which had brokered several rounds of direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Washington is now distracted by its war on Iran and frustrated the conflict has not been as easy to solve as President Donald Trump once touted.
Announcing the new missile interceptors, French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: 'It is crucial to provide Ukraine with all the necessary means to defend its skies and thwart this aggression.' Russia has pounded Ukraine -- the capital Kyiv especially -- with ballistic missile attacks in recent months. The hard-to-intercept super-fast weapons reach their target within minutes, making it virtually impossible for locals in Kyiv to reach an underground shelter in time.
FAQ
Q: What caused the recent surge in civilian deaths in Ukraine and Russia? A: The surge in civilian deaths is due to increased Russian strikes, including ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine and drone strikes on Russia and Crimea.
Q: What is France's response to the escalating conflict? A: France has promised to deliver new interceptor missiles to Ukraine to help defend against Russian attacks.
Q: How has the international community responded to the conflict? A: Ukraine's allies in the Coalition of the Willing, led by France and Britain, are meeting to discuss ways to increase pressure on Moscow to end the invasion. However, diplomacy involving the United States has stalled.
Q: What are the challenges faced by Ukraine in defending against Russian attacks? A: Ukraine is facing a critical shortage of advanced missile interceptors, particularly US-made Patriots, and its own weapons are not capable of shooting down the high-arching ballistic missiles fired by Russia.





































