Ukraine’s General Staff claims the country's forces struck an airfield in southern Russia that was being used to launch Iran-designed Shahed drones and maintain attack aircraft used in the almost thre

PARIS — Ukraine received the first Mirage 2000 fighter jets promised by France on Thursday, French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu said, giving the country its second type of Western aircraft in addition to F-16 jets handed over by allies last year.

Ukraine said on Thursday it had received a first batch of French Mirage 2000 fighter jets as well as U.S.-made F-16 fighters from the Netherlands as European allies seek to strengthen Kyiv's hand in its war with Russia.

France said Thursday it has sent the first of the promised Mirage jet fighters to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron announced in June 2024 that Ukraine would get the jets.

The first Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter for the Ukrainian Air Force has arrived in the country, according to statements from the defense ministries of France and Ukraine. With this development, Ukraine gets its second Western-made fighter type,

"With Ukrainian pilots trained for several months in France on board, they will now participate in defending Ukraine's sky," French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said.

Ukraine has been granted fighter jets from the Netherlands and France, offering a significant boost to its military capabilities as the war with Russia intensifies. This support is seen as a critical step in bolstering Ukraine's defense and enhancing its air power,