French Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets join conflict for first time; Czech, Italian leaders deny possibility of deploying troops to Kiev

The Ukrainian Air Force Command announced that Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets supplied by France had participated in the defense against Russian airstrikes for the first time on March 7.

Ukrainian Air Force uses Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets for the first time against Russian missiles. (Source: Defense News)

The first group of Ukrainian pilots and aviation technicians completed training on the Mirage 2000-5F in December 2024. The jet arrived in Ukraine in February 2025 as part of a military aid package from France.

In February, French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu confirmed the transfer of Mirage 2000-5F, giving Ukraine its second Western fighter jet after the US F-16.

With a maximum speed of Mach 2.2, a service ceiling of 59,000 feet and a combat radius of up to 920 miles, the Mirage 2000-5F is considered to be more flexible and maneuverable than many of its competitors.

Equipped with the modern Thales RDY radar capable of tracking multiple targets at the same time from a distance of 70 miles, the Mirage 2000-5F not only brings an advantage in air combat but also possesses formidable firepower. The aircraft can carry advanced weapons such as MICA air-to-air missiles, AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs and Scalp/Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

The Ukrainian Air Force said that at dawn on March 7 (local time), Russian forces launched a large-scale coordinated attack using about 200 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and dozens of different types of air, ground and sea-based missiles targeting the neighboring country's critical infrastructure. The main focus of this attack was Ukraine's gas facilities.

Ukrainian Air Force radar units detected and tracked 261 Russian airborne weapons, including 67 missiles of various types and 194 attack UAVs.

* Meanwhile, on the same day, March 7, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that it was too early to consider the possibility of deploying his country's army to Ukraine. According to him, the greatest factor ensuring peace is strengthening the Ukrainian army.

Speaking at a press conference at the Czech House of Representatives, Prime Minister Fiala also mentioned the results of the extraordinary European Union (EU) summit on March 6 in Brussels (Belgium) to discuss the future of Ukraine. He reiterated that any plans to send troops into Ukraine must be made after a ceasefire agreement is reached and the next steps for peace are foreseen.

According to the head of the Czech Government, the form of military participation can be very broad, with many different concepts, from peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the United Nations, to the participation of soldiers from European countries and military personnel from countries outside the EU.

* On the same day, Italian President Sergio Mattarella also spoke out affirming his view that "it is too early to discuss the possibility of deploying Italian troops to Ukraine".

In an interview with Japanese television station NHK , President Mattarella stated that it is not yet time to mention deploying troops, as the peace negotiation process has not even begun.

According to him, the top priority now is to negotiate a peace agreement that both Russia and Ukraine can accept. The Italian leader said: “We must seek decisively and quickly a lasting peace solution, because a peace based on arrogance will not last.”

In addition, President Mattarella also emphasized that Italy and Japan are both committed to adhering to the international order based on the rule of law.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nga-ukraine-chien-dau-co-mirage-2000-5f-cua-phap-lan-dau-tham-gia-xung-dot-lanh-dao-czech-italy-cung-phu-nhan-kha-nang-trien-khai-quan-doi-toi-kiev-306784.html