Ukraine Experiences First Loss of French Mirage-2000 Fighter Jet After Previous F-16 Crashes

Ukraine experienced the loss of its first Mirage 2000 fighter jet supplied by France during a mission on Tuesday evening, as confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The pilot ejected without harm, and no injuries were reported on the ground.

This incident comes after the loss of four F-16 Fighting Falcons provided by the United States since April, highlighting the growing challenges facing Ukraine's air force.

In a statement on Wednesday, President Zelensky acknowledged the loss of the French jet, describing it as "very effective." He clarified that the aircraft was not shot down by Russian forces but suffered an equipment failure during flight.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the pilot took prompt action during the emergency, signaling the equipment issue before safely ejecting. They confirmed that there were no civilian casualties.

The Mirage 2000-5, a fourth-generation supersonic jet, was part of France's aid aimed at bolstering Ukraine's air defenses against persistent Russian aerial attacks. Ukrainian pilots and technicians received extensive training in France before these jets were deployed.

The Mirage's loss comes amid several setbacks involving Ukraine's newly acquired F-16 fleet. The latest F-16 incident occurred on May 16, allegedly caused by a Russian S-400 air defense missile. Previous crashes were attributed to technical issues, enemy fire, and, as some reports suggest, friendly fire from Ukraine's own Patriot system.

One F-16 pilot reportedly managed to down seven aerial targets before his plane was severely damaged while intercepting a final drone. Another F-16 crash was reportedly due to aerial combat, according to Russian officials.

Previously, France's Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed the arrival of the first Mirage 2000s in Ukraine in mid-2025. He praised their contribution to strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities amid Russia's increasing missile and drone strikes.

The recent loss of the Mirage jet highlights Ukraine's ongoing air defense vulnerabilities, despite receiving substantial military support from Western allies. With increasing aircraft losses and limited air defense resources, Kyiv is under mounting pressure to enhance its aerial capabilities and minimize combat losses.