On Thursday, Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the delivery of the first batch of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine, aimed at bolstering Kyiv’s air defense against Russian aggression.
“The initial aircraft have arrived in Ukraine today,” Lecornu stated on X, though he did not disclose the exact number of jets delivered. He noted that following France’s training of Ukrainian pilots in recent months, these aircraft will now play a crucial role in safeguarding Ukraine’s airspace.
In June of last year, President Emmanuel Macron revealed France’s plan to provide Mirage 2000-5 jets to Ukraine and to train Ukrainian pilots as part of a military partnership with Kyiv.
According to a budget report from France’s National Assembly, six out of the 26 Mirage 2000-5 jets in the French air force are designated for transfer to Ukraine.
The French Ministry of Defence has not provided a confirmation or denial of the figure due to security considerations.
Ukrainian pilots and technicians have received training in eastern France to operate the jets, which have been modified to counter Russian jamming efforts.
France has revealed the delivery of the initial fighter jets amid increasing discussions about a potential negotiated resolution to the nearly three-year conflict, coinciding with Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces in the eastern front.
Russia expels the Moscow correspondent for Le Monde.
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