France sends Crotale air defense systems, MLRS to Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron said July 13 that France would allow Ukraine to produce French-designed missiles and air defense, marking the first time it has licensed weapons production in Ukraine.

Russian opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin was released from police custody after being detained on July 13 over alleged display of "extremist symbols," according to Russian independent media outlet Mediazona.

President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a winter air defense package of 300 Patriot interceptor missiles during a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on July 13.

"This agreement will help ensure Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression, while backing British defense companies, supporting skilled jobs and strengthening our national security," said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on July 13.

"I can't offer you any guarantees," the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas told the Kyiv Independent when asked if she can offer any guarantee that the price cap on Russian oil will not lapse on July 15.

Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. are joining Kyiv in an effort to "build a shared anti-ballistic missile capacity for Europe," the French presidency said.

A decision to replace a popular figure widely seen as competent would likely prove controversial with both Ukrainian politicians and wider Ukrainian society.

At least 25 leaders are expected to attend today's summit, which is set to focus on addressing Ukraine's critical air defense shortages amid escalating Russian ballistic missile attacks.

The Sea of Azov is a strategically important waterway for Russia, serving as a key route for both military logistics and exports of oil, grain, steel, and other goods to international markets.

The listings include the company VK, which owns the social media website VKontakte, its daughter company Communication Platform LLC, which developed Max, and the latter's head, Elena Bagudina.

On July 11, Ukraine's General Staff announced that Luchanov and other members of the brigade had been charged with illegal detention and intentional murder. The military initially said Luchanov had abandoned his unit without authorization during the investigation and was at large.