Ukraine’s Air Force got a boost in its fight against Russia on Thursday with the arrival of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from France, along with F-16s from the Netherlands.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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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

With Ukrainian pilots on board who have been trained for several months in France, they will now participate in defending the skies of Ukraine,” he wrote without specifying the exact number of aircraft.