Additional Coverage:
- French foreign minister vows support for Kyiv’s plan to end Russian invasion of Ukraine (newsbreak.com)
France Backs Ukraine’s Peace Plan
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed support for Ukraine’s “victory plan” to end the war with Russia. He said he would seek international backing for the proposal, which aims to force Russia into negotiations.
NATO Membership Key Element
A crucial aspect of the plan is Ukraine’s desire to join NATO, which Western allies have been reluctant to consider. Barrot emphasized that Russian victory would destabilize the international order.
French Military Aid
France has been a key supporter of Ukraine, providing military, diplomatic, and economic assistance. Barrot announced the delivery of Mirage 2000 combat jets and training for Ukrainian pilots and mechanics.
Prisoner Swap between Russia and Ukraine
Coinciding with Barrot’s visit, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 190 prisoners of war, including 34 Azov fighters who defended Mariupol. Human rights activist Maksym Butkevych was also released.
Massive Repatriation of War Dead
Ukraine received 501 dead soldiers, while Russia received 89. The repatriation was the largest since the start of the invasion.
Russia Targets Ukrainian Drones
Russia claimed to have shot down 16 Ukrainian drones over its regions. Local media reported a fire at a microelectronics factory in Bryansk, although Russian authorities did not confirm the attack.
Overnight Drone and Missile Attacks
Over 100 Russian drones and missiles were launched over Ukraine, with the Ukrainian air force shooting down 42 drones and 4 missiles. The fate of the remaining drones and missiles is unknown.