Zelensky’s Hometown Bombed: 16 Dead as France Rushes Missiles to Kyiv

France announced on Saturday it will deliver new interceptor missiles to Ukraine, a direct response to the latest wave of deadly Russian attacks that have drained Kyiv’s air defenses [225494]. The pledge comes as rescue workers in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih continue searching through the rubble of a shopping center hit by a Russian strike, which has killed at least sixteen people [225484]. The attack has intensified Zelensky’s months-long plea for more Patriot interceptor missiles as winter approaches [225484].

The diplomatic push is accelerating alongside the violence. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom will jointly lead a meeting of allied nations in Kyiv on Monday to coordinate further military aid [225041]. The three European powers are also forming a joint front to secure a European role in any negotiations to end the war, fearing major decisions will be made without them [221330]. The urgency was underscored when a Russian missile strike killed at least two people in Kyiv during a visit by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Thursday [225052].

A new report from the Institute for the Study of War warns that Russia is likely to stockpile ballistic and cruise missiles for repeated, large-scale strikes aimed at overwhelming Ukraine’s air defenses [225009]. The think tank assesses that Moscow’s use of North Korean-supplied missiles could soon threaten Kyiv and six other regions, launching them in waves to exhaust Ukraine’s defensive systems [225009]. Ukrainian commanders on the front lines say troops are exhausted but determined, with one stating, “If ending the war means we lose territory, then I do not want it to end,” and all three warning that a bad deal now could mean a longer war later [224735].