Ukraine backers gather as war escalates, air defence runs low

Key Points:

• Ukraine is hosting a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, chaired by Britain, France, and Germany, to secure critical air-defense supplies and increase pressure on Russia amid escalating missile attacks causing high civilian casualties in Kyiv.
• UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is visiting Kyiv for his first international trip since taking office, while other leaders, including EU Council President Antonio Costa, are joining remotely to discuss enhanced support for Ukraine’s defense.
• Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian logistics sites, targeting warehouses of e-commerce giant Ozon, while Russia continues ballistic missile attacks that have pushed civilian deaths to the highest levels since the early months of the invasion.
• The UK and France are pledging increased military aid, with the UK authorizing classified information sharing to help Ukraine and France produce long-range SCALP missiles locally, and France committing to deliver new interceptor missiles to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky highlighted a significant shortfall in Patriot missile deliveries, which have halved since 2023, emphasizing the urgent need for at least 300 missiles ahead of winter to counter Russia’s high monthly ballistic missile production.