Russia-Ukraine war intensifies, 13 killed as France pledges new missiles

KYIV: The Russia-Ukraine war has entered another dangerous phase as fresh attacks across both countries killed at least 13 people, while France moved to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences with additional missile interceptors.

The latest violence came as Russian and Ukrainian forces continued exchanging long-range strikes, with civilian areas once again bearing much of the cost. Seven people were reported killed in Ukraine, while four died in Russia and two others were reportedly killed in Russian-occupied Crimea.

In the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, emergency workers continued searching through the wreckage of a shopping centre damaged in a Russian drone strike a day earlier. That attack reportedly killed 16 people and left dozens injured, adding to growing concerns over the safety of civilians as aerial attacks intensify.

The escalating strikes have also renewed pressure on Ukraine’s allies to provide stronger air-defence systems.

French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to accelerate the delivery of French interceptor missiles to Ukraine following discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Macron has stressed that Ukraine needs the necessary means to protect its airspace and defend its population against Russian attacks.

Ukraine has faced particular difficulty countering Russian ballistic missiles, which can reach targets within minutes and are considerably harder to intercept than many drones and cruise missiles. Kyiv has repeatedly appealed to Western allies for additional air-defence systems, especially Patriot interceptors.

Recent Russian attacks have demonstrated the scale of the challenge. A major August assault on Kyiv and surrounding areas killed at least 16 people and damaged residential buildings, a school and a children’s medical facility, according to Ukrainian officials.

The violence has been accompanied by Ukrainian drone strikes inside Russia. Russian officials said a Ukrainian drone attack in the southern city of Yeysk struck a residential property, killing two children and injuring their parents.

With attacks intensifying, diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled. Several rounds of US-backed discussions have failed to produce a lasting breakthrough, leaving the prospect of a ceasefire uncertain.

France and Britain are also preparing to bring allied countries together for further discussions on strengthening Ukraine’s defences and increasing pressure on Moscow.

For civilians on both sides, however, the latest escalation is a grim reminder that despite diplomatic efforts, the war continues to expand its human toll. As missiles and drones cross borders, the immediate priority remains protecting people caught in the path of an increasingly intense conflict.