France, Aug. 22 -- The announcement came after a Russian drone strike on a shopping centre in eastern Ukraine on Friday killed at least 16 people and injured more than 100.

Posting on X, Macron expressed his "horror" at the attack on Kryvyi Rig, the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"By systematically targeting civilians, and by choosing intimidation and escalation, Russia is probably seeking to project strength but is above all signalling an admission of weakness," Macron's post said.

"In this context, it is crucial to provide Ukraine with all necessary means to defend its airspace and repel this aggression."

The French president said he had informed Zelensky that France would step up its support to Ukraine, includi...