Zelensky, Macron Agree on Missile Supplies and Production Licenses

On August 22, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and French President Emmanuel Macron held a nearly two-hour phone call to discuss accelerating the delivery of advanced French military equipment and missiles to Ukraine. The primary focus of their discussions was Ukraine's air defense needs in the face of ongoing Russian strikes.

Macron signaled his willingness to assist Ukraine in coordinating with international partners who possess Patriot missile systems. Additionally, Zelensky confirmed France's readiness to issue licenses for domestic missile production within Ukraine. The leaders also delved into diplomatic efforts, including coordination with the US team, and outlined steps to expedite the processing of bilateral defense agreements.

The conversation on advanced weaponry came after reports that French intelligence had been actively supporting Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities. Ukrainian officials revealed that intelligence provided by France and the US had assisted in mapping Russian air-defense deployments, thus enabling Ukrainian drones to evade interception and strike targets deep inside Russia. This intelligence-sharing has led to a shift in Ukraine's long-range drone campaign against Russia's energy industry.

Ukrainian military planners and drone operators have moved away from targeting refineries, instead focusing on critical, hard-to-replace components to keep plants offline for longer periods. This strategic shift is guided by detailed technical analysis, with drone units receiving briefings from energy engineers and industry experts to identify indispensable components that require the most time to replace.

Ukraine and Russia both utilize similar Soviet-designed energy systems, and Ukrainian engineers possess a thorough understanding of the operational vulnerabilities within Russian facilities.

Zelensky recently directed Ukraine's military leadership to expand this deep-strike campaign further.