Ukraine’s new Mirage 2000s make their combat debut
March 10, 2025
Ukrainian officials said that Russian forces had launched 67 missiles and 194 drones against civilian energy and infrastructure targets in Odesa, Poltava, Kharkiv and Ternopil. It was the first large scale Russian attack since the US stopped aid to Ukraine in an ill-judged attempt to push Kyiv to negotiate with Moscow.
Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said that Ukraine had shot down 34 missiles and 100 drones, including between two and four Kronshtadt Orions, about ten Shahed 131s and Shahed 136s and about six Arash 2s.
The weapons used were not detailed, but may have included the aircraft’s internal cannon as well as Mica and Magic air-to-air missiles. The aircraft do not yet seem to have been employed in the air-to-ground role, though they were upgraded with air-to-surface capabilities before delivery.
France has announced a new €195 million aid package for Ukraine, funded from the interest accruing from frozen Russian assets, including 155-mm shells and AASM Hammer guided bombs, which have seen extensive use from Ukrainian MiG-29s and Su-27s.
Recent releases indicated that the Ukrainian Mirage 2000s use the designation Mirage 2000-5F(U) or Mirage 2000-5FU.
