Ukraine Allies Meet as War Intensifies, Air Defence Supplies Come Under Strain

Ukraine Seeks More Air Defence as Russian Strikes Intensify Ahead of Key Allies’ Meeting

Ukraine is set to host a meeting of its key European allies on Monday, with Kyiv seeking additional air-defence systems and stronger pressure on Moscow as Russian attacks continue to take a heavy toll on civilians.

The meeting of the Coalition of the Willing will be jointly chaired by the leaders of Britain, France and Germany. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected in Kyiv for his first foreign trip since taking office, while several other leaders are likely to participate remotely. EU Council President Antonio Costa is also scheduled to attend.

The talks come after a sharp increase in Russian attacks, particularly on Kyiv, where ballistic missile strikes have damaged residential buildings and killed civilians.

Ukraine Pushes for More Air Defence

The latest wave of Russian strikes has pushed civilian deaths to their highest level since the early months of the 2022 invasion, according to Ukrainian officials.

Following repeated attacks, President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed to allies for additional air-defence support. Residents have frequently been forced to take shelter in Kyiv’s metro system, basements and other protected locations during Russian missile and drone attacks.

Ukraine is particularly dependent on advanced systems such as US-made Patriot interceptors to defend against ballistic missiles. Its domestic systems currently lack the capability to intercept some of the missiles Russia is using.

UK and France Announce New Support

Burnham is expected to announce that Britain will allow defence company MBDA to share classified information needed to support Ukrainian and French efforts to establish local production of the long-range SCALP missile.

French President Emmanuel Macron also pledged new interceptor missiles for Ukraine, stressing the need to strengthen the country’s ability to protect its airspace.

The announcements come as Ukraine faces growing concerns over the availability of air-defence interceptors worldwide.

Patriot Missile Shortfall Raises Concern

Zelensky has disclosed figures showing a significant decline in deliveries of Patriot interceptors to Ukraine.

He said Ukraine received 675 Patriot missiles in 2023 but only 364 throughout 2025, even as Russian missile attacks increased. Current projections indicate deliveries could fall further to 264 in 2026.

Kyiv is seeking at least 300 interceptors ahead of the coming winter, when officials expect Russia to intensify attacks on critical infrastructure.

Zelensky also said Russia could manufacture around 100 ballistic missiles each month, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing Ukraine’s air defences.

Ukraine Steps Up Long-Range Strikes

While seeking stronger protection from its allies, Ukraine has also intensified long-range attacks against Russian energy and logistics infrastructure.

Ukrainian forces have targeted facilities including oil refineries and storage sites as part of efforts to disrupt Russia’s military supply network and economic infrastructure.

The Coalition of the Willing was initially formed around plans for European countries to potentially provide peacekeeping forces in Ukraine if a ceasefire were reached. It has since evolved into a broader platform for coordinating support for Kyiv amid uncertainty over the level of future US involvement.

With diplomatic efforts largely stalled and Russian attacks escalating, Ukraine is pressing its European partners for immediate military assistance, particularly to shore up a growing air-defence gap.