In an effort to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia's invasion, France has announced plans to send new surface-to-air missiles and old armored vehicles to the country. Sébastien Lecornu, France's defense minister, revealed that President Emmanuel Macron has instructed him to design a "new aid package" for Ukraine's defense.

Lecornu emphasized the importance of providing functional armored vehicles to the Ukrainian army to enhance troop mobility and meet Ukraine's specific requirements. He stated that France plans to supply hundreds of these vehicles by 2024 and early 2025. Additionally, France will deliver a fresh batch of Aster 30 missiles to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities.

These arms deliveries come in the wake of criticism from Germany and other nations, accusing France of not providing sufficient military aid to Ukraine. German officials have expressed frustration with the size of France's contribution to Kyiv and called for an audit of national contributions towards an EU fund aimed at reimbursing countries for their military donations to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Recent missile strikes in Lviv and the northeast resulted in the loss of two lives. Ukrainian air force successfully shot down a significant number of Shahed-type drones launched by Russia, as well as multiple cruise missiles. In the Odesa region, hundreds of thousands of people were left without power after debris from a downed Russian drone caused a blaze at an energy facility.

These attacks occurred just days after Russia launched a massive assault on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, damaging three power plants. The situation remains tense as Ukraine and its allies scramble to provide support and counteract the Russian invasion.

The aid package announced by France demonstrates its commitment to assisting Ukraine in its defense efforts against Russian aggression. As the conflict intensifies, it is crucial for international partners to rally behind Ukraine and provide the necessary support to protect its sovereignty and ensure regional stability.