Ukraine Receives French Mirage and Dutch F-16 Fighter Jets
The Ukrainian Air Force strengthens its capabilities with new aircraft deliveries amidst ongoing conflict.
The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the receipt of a new batch of French Mirage 2000-5 and Dutch F-16 multi-role fighter jets on Thursday.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the delivery via social media, stating, "Ukraine's air fleet continues to develop." He expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron for his support, highlighting that the arrival of these jets enhances Ukraine's air defense capabilities.
French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu corroborated the delivery, noting that the Mirage fighters are piloted by Ukrainian personnel who had undergone extensive training in France.
According to Lecornu, the jets are now prepared to participate in the defense of Ukraine's skies.
While specific numbers regarding the Mirage aircraft have not been disclosed, a 2023 French parliamentary budget report indicated an intention to send six out of France's 26 Mirage 2000-5 jets to Ukraine.
This claim has not been confirmed or denied by the French Defense Ministry for security reasons.
Additionally, Lecornu mentioned that modifications had been made to the French aircraft, adapting them for battlefield conditions in Ukraine, including enhancements for air-to-ground operations and electronic warfare defenses.
In conjunction with the French delivery, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that the Netherlands had supplied further US-made F-16 fighter jets.
Zelenskyy stated that these new aircraft will soon commence combat missions, reinforcing Ukraine's defense capabilities.
The Dutch government, along with several other European nations, has committed to providing F-16s to Ukraine, a crucial development amid concerns regarding sustained support from the United States.
On the ground, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Thursday that it had repelled a Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region, which contains areas partially under Ukrainian control.
There was no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian officials, and independent verification of the claims remains unachievable.
The reports coincide with the six-month anniversary of the outset of Ukraine's significant cross-border operations in August, during which Ukrainian forces initially captured substantial territory before facing counter-offensives.
In additional military developments, Ukrainian forces have claimed to have struck an airfield in Krasnodar, Southern Russia, allegedly utilized for launching Iranian-manufactured Shahed drones.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting Ukrainian drones, but did not specify their origins or locations.
Moreover, overnight, Russia reportedly launched 77 drones targeting Ukraine, with Ukrainian forces claiming to have neutralized 56 of these threats.
The conflict includes recent missile strikes, with Iskander-M ballistic missiles reportedly causing some infrastructural damage in Ukraine but reported to have resulted in no casualties.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the delivery via social media, stating, "Ukraine's air fleet continues to develop." He expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron for his support, highlighting that the arrival of these jets enhances Ukraine's air defense capabilities.
French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu corroborated the delivery, noting that the Mirage fighters are piloted by Ukrainian personnel who had undergone extensive training in France.
According to Lecornu, the jets are now prepared to participate in the defense of Ukraine's skies.
While specific numbers regarding the Mirage aircraft have not been disclosed, a 2023 French parliamentary budget report indicated an intention to send six out of France's 26 Mirage 2000-5 jets to Ukraine.
This claim has not been confirmed or denied by the French Defense Ministry for security reasons.
Additionally, Lecornu mentioned that modifications had been made to the French aircraft, adapting them for battlefield conditions in Ukraine, including enhancements for air-to-ground operations and electronic warfare defenses.
In conjunction with the French delivery, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that the Netherlands had supplied further US-made F-16 fighter jets.
Zelenskyy stated that these new aircraft will soon commence combat missions, reinforcing Ukraine's defense capabilities.
The Dutch government, along with several other European nations, has committed to providing F-16s to Ukraine, a crucial development amid concerns regarding sustained support from the United States.
On the ground, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Thursday that it had repelled a Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region, which contains areas partially under Ukrainian control.
There was no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian officials, and independent verification of the claims remains unachievable.
The reports coincide with the six-month anniversary of the outset of Ukraine's significant cross-border operations in August, during which Ukrainian forces initially captured substantial territory before facing counter-offensives.
In additional military developments, Ukrainian forces have claimed to have struck an airfield in Krasnodar, Southern Russia, allegedly utilized for launching Iranian-manufactured Shahed drones.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting Ukrainian drones, but did not specify their origins or locations.
Moreover, overnight, Russia reportedly launched 77 drones targeting Ukraine, with Ukrainian forces claiming to have neutralized 56 of these threats.
The conflict includes recent missile strikes, with Iskander-M ballistic missiles reportedly causing some infrastructural damage in Ukraine but reported to have resulted in no casualties.
