Zelenskyy announces new packages to strengthen Ukraine's combat aviation after meeting Macron

Following talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine will receive new aid packages this month to strengthen its combat aviation.

Source: Zelenskyy and Macron on X (Twitter)

Details: Zelenskyy said the meeting with Macron was very substantive. The leaders discussed various ways to counter Russia's relentless terror attacks, which have continued almost unabated in recent days.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "In particular, new packages to strengthen our combat aviation will be provided this month. We are also accelerating work on European anti-ballistic defence – Freyja needs to become operational by the end of the year."

Details: Zelenskyy thanked Macron for ensuring that Ukraine has already received all the licences promised by France for the production of weapons. He said the priority now is to swiftly put the agreements into practice at operational level.

Separately, Zelenskyy emphasised that as their meeting was taking place, Russia launched "yet another vile drone strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in Lutsk", causing power outages in the city.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Russia has demonstratively disregarded the American President's proposal for an energy ceasefire. And now it is taking advantage of problems with Starlink operations to cause maximum destruction to everything that sustains everyday life."

Details: For his part, Macron stated his determination to continue supporting Ukraine.

Quote from Macron: "Whilst Russia is choosing to escalate because it is bogged down on the front line, it is crucial that we collectively provide Ukraine with all the resources it needs to defend itself and to protect its civilian population and infrastructure."

Background:

• On 13 and 14 October, Russian forces launched massive attack drone strikes on Lutsk. Russian drones hit a local wholesale facility and an entertainment centre, killing six people and injuring more than 10.
• On the evening of 15 October, Roman Romaniuk, Head of Volyn Oblast Military Administration, reported yet another Shahed drone attack on the oblast. Debris from a downed drone damaged power lines in the Lutsk hromada , causing significant disruptions to the electricity and water supplies in the city. 

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