Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed an agreement with allies for a European-backed anti-ballistic missile shield as an alternative to the US Patriot system, but stressed that Kyiv still needs American interceptors for the coming winter. The Freyja defence project, originated in Ukraine, will be developed over the next 12 months.
Zelenskyy calls for 300 Patriot missiles for winter
“One of the main ways to strengthen our collective position should be a winter package of air defence missiles,” Zelenskyy posted. “We have calculated that this package should include 100 Patriot missiles per month, 300 missiles for the winter.” Donald Trump has promised Ukraine a licence to build Patriot missiles, but production is likely some time away due to the interceptors' extreme complexity and US subcontractors' slow output of critical parts.
European anti-ballistic missile shield project
Ukraine and nine other countries including the UK, Germany and France will build the shared missile protection programme for Europe using Kyiv's experience in fighting Russia's full-scale invasion for more than four years. Leaders met Zelenskyy for talks in Paris. The UK signed up to participate in the EU's €90bn (£77bn) support loan for Ukraine, meaning UK firms will be able to provide more weapons paid for by the funds.
France pledges Rafale jets and SAMP/T systems
Emmanuel Macron announced a roadmap for Kyiv to get 16 Rafale fighter jets, the first due to “take to the skies” by 2028-2029. Kyiv would also acquire an initial batch of new-generation SAMP/T missile defence units, which “will complement the systems due to be delivered with their missiles in the coming weeks”. Macron also said the multinational force for Ukraine, to be deployed in the event of a ceasefire, would hold exercises in neighbouring countries in the coming months.
Russian attacks on Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv
Russian forces attacked Kyiv with missiles and drones early on Tuesday, triggering fires in widely separated districts. Tymur Tkachenko said two storage areas were hit and set on fire in the Holosiivskyi district. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said cars burned in an eastern suburb after drone strikes. In Zaporizhzhia, Russian drones struck residential areas, injuring 11 people. A drone attack outside Kharkiv injured six people, said regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.
Casualties in Donetsk and denial of targeting civilians
The Russian-installed head of the part of Ukraine's Donetsk region under Moscow's control said Ukrainian drone attacks had killed eight people, including a family of four. Reuters said it could not verify the report independently. Ukraine denies targeting civilians.
EU and UK impose coordinated sanctions for cyber-attacks
The EU and Britain targeted Russia with coordinated sanctions over cyber-attacks in Europe, accusing Moscow's FSB intelligence agency of involvement. Brussels imposed sanctions on nine people and four entities, while London added 24 names to its blacklist. Among those subjected to asset freezes and visa bans were officers of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency and alleged “cybercriminals” working with the Russian state.
Cyber-attacks targeting critical infrastructure and Olympics
The EU and Britain said a recent attempted cyber-attack targeting critical infrastructure in Poland, including the power grid, was the latest in a raft of such moves by the FSB's Centre 16 spying hub. The French foreign ministry added that among the sanctioned targets was “a group that claimed destabilising actions against the Paris 2024 Olympics”. The EU said that “among others, France, Germany, Poland, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Romania and Finland have been targeted” in a campaign stretching back years.
