French Mirage repelled a massive Russian attack for the first time at night
7 March 2025 13:35
French Mirage-2000 fighters, which arrived in Ukraine only a month ago, took part in repelling an enemy air attack for the first time on the night of March 7. This was reported by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Last night, the Russian occupiers launched a combined attack with various types of air, land and sea-based missiles against critical infrastructure facilities.
The enemy focused on the gas production facilities of Ukraine.
According to preliminary data, 261 enemy air attack vehicles were detected and escorted – 67 missiles of various types and 194 attack UAVs and imitators of various types.
Thus, Russia attacked Ukraine at night:
- 35 X-101/X-55cm cruise missiles;
- 8 Kalibr cruise missiles
- 3 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles
- 4 S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles;
- 8 X-59/69 guided air defense missiles;
- 194 Shahed-type attack UAVs and other types of imitator drones.
As of 10 a.m., 134 air targets were confirmed to have been shot down:
- 25 X-101/X-55cm cruise missiles;
- 8 Kalibr cruise missiles; and
- 1 X-59/69 guided missile;
- 100 Shahed attack UAVs (drones of other types).
In addition, up to ten enemy missiles (not included in the statistics of those shot down) did not reach their targets. Another 86 enemy imitator drones were lost in the area (without any negative consequences).
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The enemy’s air attack was repelled by anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare assets and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Air Force and Defense Forces. Fighter aircraft, including F-16 and Mirage-2000 aircraft, were also involved.
“It is worth noting that French fighter jets, which arrived in Ukraine only a month ago, took part in repelling an enemy air attack for the first time,” the Ukrainian Air Force said.
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that French Mirage-2000 fighter jets, which arrived in Ukraine only a month ago, took part in repelling a Russian air attack for the first time.
“Today, F-16 aircraft and Mirage-2000s provided by France were used to protect Ukrainian skies. In particular, the Mirages successfully worked against Russian cruise missiles. Thank you! I would also like to thank our anti-aircraft missile troops, army aviation, all our electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups for the result,” the statement reads.
Zelensky emphasized that the first steps to establish real peace should be to force Russia to stop missile and drone attacks.
“It is possible to control this. Silence in the sky – a ban on the use of missiles, long-range drones and bombs. And also silence at sea – a real guarantee of normal navigation. Ukraine is ready to go the way of peace, and it is Ukraine that wants peace from the very first second of this war. The task is to force Russia to stop the war,” Zelensky emphasized.
As a reminder, on February 6, French Defense Minister Sébastien Le Coronneu said that the first French Mirage 2000 fighter jets with Ukrainian pilots on board, who had undergone several months of training in France, had arrived in Ukraine.
It is known that the Mirage 2000-5Fs have been decommissioned by the French Air Force and modified to perform more complex tasks than before. In total, Ukraine is to receive about ten Mirage fighters.
French specialists have reportedly modernized these aircraft to carry and fire SCALP-EG and Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Ukraine has both versions of the missiles.
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In February, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron signed an agreement on security cooperation.
The agreement between Ukraine and France provides for the allocation of 3 billion euros for defense this year, clear and principled support from Paris for Ukraine’s full membership in NATO, sanctions against Russia for the war, and accountability for the political leadership of Russia and all war criminals.
What is known about Mirage 2000-5
The Mirage 2000-5 is an upgraded version of the famous French Mirage 2000 fighter developed by Dassault Aviation. This version features improved avionics and weapons, which makes it effective both for gaining air superiority and for striking ground targets.
Main characteristics of the Mirage 2000-5:
- Maximum speed: 2340 km/h (Mach 2.2).
- Combat radius: 1488-1550 km.
- Flight range: 3335 km.
- Practical ceiling: 18 km.
Armament:
- MICA air-to-air missiles with a range of up to 80 km (infrared and radar homing warheads).
- Exocet anti-ship missile.
- Missile for ground strikes SCALP.
- AS37 anti-radar missile.
- AASM Hammer air bombs.
These fighters are capable of performing a wide range of tasks: from air defense to precision strikes on enemy targets.
The Mirage 2000-5F is reportedly optimized for the use of SCALP-EG and Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which expands Ukraine’s capabilities.
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