Russian defense firm predicts SWIFT DESTRUCTION of Ukraine’s new French fighter jets

• The Russian state-owned defense firm Rostec predicts that Ukraine’s newly acquired Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from France will be swiftly destroyed by Russian aircraft.
• Rostec dismisses the French jets as “obsolete” and “significantly inferior” to modern Russian fighter jets, questioning their effectiveness on the front lines and suggesting they can only be used in the “deep rear.”
• Rostec also criticized the performance of U.S.-supplied F-16s, stating they have struggled to make a significant impact and have turned out to be “much worse than expected.”
• The delivery of the Mirage 2000-5 jets represents a significant escalation in Western military support for Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials expressing gratitude for the aid.
• Critics argue that continued Western military aid to Ukraine may prolong the conflict, deepen the divide between Russia and the West, and increase the risk of direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.

The state-owned Russian defense conglomerate Rostec has issued a stark prediction: Ukraine’s new Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from France will meet swift destruction at the hands of Russian aircraft.

The firm dismissed the new planes from France as “obsolete aircraft” that is “significantly inferior to modern Russian fighter jets.” A Rostec representative told the TASS news agency that the new planes from Paris are “legitimate targets,” warning that they will be “promptly shot down” if Kyiv attempts to deploy the jets near the front lines.

Russia Today reported, citing TASS, that the new French planes can only used in the “deep rear.” As such, the Rostec representative questioned their effectiveness on the front.

The company representative also criticized the performance U.S.-supplied F-16s, which have reportedly struggled to make a significant impact on the battlefield. “As a fighter jet, the F-16 has turned out to be much worse than expected,” they stated, pointing to the loss of Ukraine’s first F-16 during its maiden mission in September 2024. (Related: Ukrainian military shoots down its own F-16 fighter jet provided by U.S. earlier this year.)

The Rostec officials’ comments Saturday, Feb. 8, followed an announcement by the French government about the jets. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced on Thursday, Feb. 6, that Kyiv had received the first batch of the Mirage 2000-5 planes. According to the French official, the jets will be flown by Ukrainian pilots who have undergone training in France.

The Mirage 2000-5 jets, part of a broader package of Western military assistance, are intended to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the delivery as a “new element of protection for Ukrainian skies,” expressing gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron for fulfilling his promise.

“France’s president keeps his word, and we appreciate it,” Zelensky wrote on X. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov echoed this sentiment, describing the jets as a “long-awaited reinforcement” that will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian aggression.

France’s new jets for Ukraine may prolong the conflict

The delivery of Mirage 2000-5 aircraft marks a significant escalation in Western support. It also underscores the growing divide between Russia and the West, raising concerns that such military aid may prolong the conflict rather than hasten its resolution.

Moreover, the delivery of the jets follows a pattern of Western military aid that began with the transfer of F-16s under former U.S. President Joe Biden. While these jets have provided Ukraine with enhanced air defense capabilities, their operational limitations have become increasingly apparent. This raises questions about the strategic value of such contributions, particularly as Russia continues to advance its military objectives.

Critics argue that Western military aid may inadvertently prolong the conflict by emboldening Kyiv to reject diplomatic solutions. Moscow has repeatedly warned that the supply of advanced weaponry to Ukraine will not alter the outcome of the war but will instead escalate tensions and increase the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The Mirage 2000-5 jets, retrofitted with advanced capabilities such as SCALP-EG cruise missiles and AASM Hammer guided bombs, represent a significant upgrade for Ukraine’s air force. Yet, their arrival comes at a time when the conflict shows no signs of abating.

As both sides dig in for a protracted struggle, the prospect of meaningful peace talks appears increasingly remote. The West’s continued military support, while bolstering Ukraine’s defenses, may ultimately serve to deepen the divide between Kyiv and Moscow, prolonging the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.

Watch this clip about France sending 40 units of an earlier iteration of the Mirage 2000 aircraft to Ukraine.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russian military DESTROYS 9 Ukrainian jets in one day.

Ukraine says ‘there will be planes,’ hinting that Western jet fighters for Kyiv is a done deal.

Russia warns all airfields hosting Kyiv’s F-16 fighter jets are legitimate targets – even if they aren’t in Ukraine.

Sources include:

RT.com

Euro-SD.com

Defence-Blog.com

Brighteon.com