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Ukrainian Mirage 2000 Pilot Reports 98% Interception Rate Against Russian Air Threats
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
A Ukrainian fighter pilot flying the French Mirage 2000 has reported a 98% success rate in intercepting Russian drones and missiles, underlining both the aircraft’s effectiveness and the need for further Western military support.
According to Defence Blog, a Ukrainian Air Force pilot currently operating the Mirage 2000 described the jet’s performance as highly effective in live combat conditions, particularly in countering Shahed drones and missile attacks.
“The effectiveness of shooting down enemy drones and missiles on this aircraft is 98%,” the pilot said during a rare on-camera interview at an operational airfield. “These are impressive numbers.”
The aircraft, equipped with Magic 2 short-range air-to-air missiles, is used primarily to intercept incoming aerial threats. The pilot noted that the Magic 2 missile “has almost a 100% kill rate.” He also pointed out that his aircraft currently displays six kill markings but emphasized that the real number is higher, as not all engagements are documented visually.
The pilot, who previously flew a Soviet-era Su-27, completed training in France on the Mirage 2000. “I trained in the French Republic together with French fighter Pilots,” he said.
“For about six months we were taught to pilot and use weapons on the Mirage 2000 two-seat training aircraft. Then we switched to the single-seat aircraft — the very one I am in now.”
He added that the aircraft operates under constant threat from Russian strikes, with Ukrainian pilots regularly relocating to avoid detection. “We are now at an operational airfield. It is already our third this week. The enemy constantly tries to destroy our equipment,” he said.
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One of the recent missions took place under direct fire. “The last combat task took place under shelling — Shaheds, missiles. But fortunately, we managed to take the equipment out and save our lives.”
Despite the reported success rate, the pilot emphasized a key shortfall: the need for longer-range weaponry. “This aircraft lacks weapons of a longer range — something between efficiency and lower cost, so we can fight the number of enemy air-attack assets we face.”
He also stressed the importance of expanding Ukraine’s fighter jet inventory. “We need to develop. We need to get more new aircraft, more new weapons, to be able to resist the onslaught of the horde threatening us.”
When asked about future platforms, the pilot said transitioning to other Western aircraft would be straightforward, particularly the French Rafale, which shares similar systems with the Mirage. He noted that the Rafale’s capability to carry Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles would provide a significant tactical advantage.
“If I am offered something like the F-35, Rafale, Gripen, I would gladly, without hesitation, switch to this equipment,” he added.
Earlier, during President Zelenskyy’s visit to Paris on November 17, Ukraine and France signed a declaration of intent outlining plans to supply up to 100 Dassault Rafale F4 fighter jets over the next decade. The agreement is part of a broader 10-year defense cooperation framework aimed at significantly strengthening Ukraine’s air force.
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