French Mirage-2000s Join Ukraine’s Fight, Repelling Massive Russian Airstrike

For the first time, French Mirage-2000 fighter jets have been used in combat over Ukraine, engaging to repel a massive Russian missile attack targeting the country’s critical infrastructure, Ukrainian Air Force Command reported on March 7.

The overnight assault on March 7, 2025, involved air-, land-, and sea-launched missiles, with a particular focus on Ukraine’s gas extraction facilities, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

“The enemy air assault was countered by anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare systems, and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and Defense Forces of Ukraine. Fighter aviation was also involved, including F-16 and Mirage-2000 aircraft. It is worth noting that the French fighter jets, which arrived in Ukraine just a month ago, participated in repelling an enemy air attack for the first time,” the Air Force stated.

According to preliminary data, the Air Force detected and escorted 261 Russian air targets – 67 missiles of various types and 194 attack UAVs and simulator drones of various types.

As of 10:00 am, 134 air targets were confirmed to have been shot down:

- 25 Kh-101/Kh-55sm cruise missiles

- 8 Kalibr cruise missiles;

- 1 Kh-59/69 guided missile;

- 100 Shahed-type attack UAVs (drones of other types).

In addition, up to ten enemy missiles did not reach their targets, and 86 enemy decoy drones were downed by the electronic warfare systems.

Earlier, the French military released a video showing Ukrainian pilots training on Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets recently delivered to Ukraine.