French-made Mirage 2000 jets join Ukraine's defense against Russian strike for the first time
Russia launched a large-scale aerial assault overnight, firing 67 missiles of various types and deploying 194 drones.
Ukrainian Air Force
European air forces could protect Ukraine from Russian aerial strikes, experts suggest
According to the plan, developed by former British Air Force planners in cooperation with Ukraine's Armed Forces, the protection zone would cover Ukraine's three operational nuclear power plants, as well as the cities of Odesa and Lviv in Ukraine's south and west.
Ukraine war latest: Kyiv says Russian Su-25 warplane downed in Donetsk Oblast, 70 Russian drones shot down overnight
Key developments on Feb. 8-9: * Ukraine says it downed Russian Su-25 warplane in Donetsk Oblast * Syrskyi marks first year in office by highlighting key achievements, including strikes on 377 military targets in Russia * Military to introduce 'special contracts' to motivate younger volunteer fighters, Zelensky says * 70 Russian drones shot down
70 Russian drones shot down overnight, Air Force reports
Ukrainian air defense shot down 70 Russian drones across the country overnight, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on Feb. 9.
First French Mirage fighter jets reportedly arrive in Ukraine — here's what they can do
"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.
24-year-old Ukrainian pilot killed in action
"He was only 24, but he was a competent and experienced warrior who mercilessly beat the (Russian forces) on all their approaches and front lines," the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade said.
Transfer of Ukrainian Air Force personnel to infantry continues despite scandal
The Ukrainian military command's plan to throw high-skilled Air Force personnel into the infantry was said to be halted when the practice gained nationwide attention, followed by a condemnation from President Volodymyr Zelensky. Soldiers, who spoke to the Kyiv Independent on conditions of anonymity, say, however, that nothing has changed,
Ukraine Air Force specialists safe from transfer to infantry but mobilization issues remain, Syrskyi says
Reports last week indicated that since 2024, thousands of Air Force soldiers have been transferred to the Ground Forces.
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 8, injure 38 over past day
Russia launched 39 drones, including Shahed-type, and four ballistic missiles of either the Iskander-M or the North Korean KN-23 model overnight, the Air Force reported.
'Absurd phenomenon' — The manpower issue threatening to weaken Ukraine's Air Force
Critically lacking manpower on the front lines where Russia continues to use its vast manpower advantage to make grinding advances, Ukraine has been scrambling specialists into the infantry in an effort to replenish losses. Criticized widely by soldiers and experts for a “wasteful” use of specialist troops that have spent
Zelensky addresses personnel transfer controversy, orders Air Force commander not to reassign specialists to Ground Forces
President Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed the controversy surrounding the reassignment of Air Force personnel to the Ground Forces, in his evening address on Jan. 14.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine targets Russian industrial plants, ammunition depots in overnight strike
Key developments on Jan. 14: * Ukraine targets Russia's industrial plants, ammunition depots in 'massive' strike overnight * Equipping troops takes priority over lowering draft age, Zelensky says * Ukraine denies transferring Air Force personnel to infantry amid troop shortages * Germany to deploy Patriot at Poland's key hub for Ukraine aid by end
Ukraine denies transferring Air Force personnel to infantry amid troop shortages
The Ukrainian Air Force will transfer military personnel "en masse" to reinforce the Ground Forces' combat brigades in early 2025, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Jan. 14, citing an undisclosed Air Force source.
In historic record, Ukrainian F-16 pilot downs 6 cruise missiles in single mission, Air Force claims
For the first time in the history of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a Ukrainian-operated jet shot down six Russian cruise missiles during a single mission in December, the Air Force claimed on Jan. 7.
Ukraine shot down 21 Russian drones overnight, Air Force reports
Russia used 43 drones against Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on Dec. 30.
Russia claims Ukrainian pilot surrendered in Kursk Oblast, Ukraine denies
Ukraine's Air Force on Dec. 29 denied claims spread by Russian media about a Ukrainian pilot surrendering to Russian forces in Kursk Oblast.
Ukraine downs 58 of Russian 132 drones launched overnight, Air Force reports
Ukrainian air defense intercepted 58 drones out of 132 launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported on its Telegram channel on Dec. 14.
Ukraine downs 161 of 287 Russian missiles, drones in mass aerial attack
Moscow deployed four Kinzhal air-launched missiles, two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, one Kh-23 North Korean ballistic missile, 55 Kh-101 and Kh-55SM cruise missiles launched from Tu-95MS bomber planes, 24 sea-launched Kalibr missiles, seven Iskander-K cruise missiles, and one Kh-59/69 missile, the Air Force said.
Russia launches record 188 drones against Ukraine overnight, Air Force says
Ukrainian air defenses reportedly shot down 76 drones across 17 oblasts.
Ukraine's air defense downs 102 missiles, 42 drones during mass Russian strike
Russia attacked Ukraine with a hypersonic 3M22 Zirkon missile, seven air-launched Kinzhal missiles, 85 Kh-101 and Kalibr cruise missiles, one Iskander-M ballistic missile, four anti-radar Kh-22/31P missiles, five Kh-59/69 aerial guided missiles, and 90 drones.
Romania, Belarus scramble jets amid mass Russian drone attack on Ukraine
Ukraine's Air Force said that beyond the 80 drones that were shot down across the country, another 44 were "lost."
Air Force: Ukraine downs 31 drones overnight
Russia also attacked Ukraine with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and two Kh-59 cruise missiles, the Air Force said. The missiles targeted Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, and Odesa oblasts.
France to deliver first Mirage 2000 jets to Ukraine in early 2025
The planes "will be equipped with new equipment: air-to-ground combat capabilities and anti-electronic warfare defense," a French minister said.
Russia increasingly launching 'unspecified' types of drones against Ukraine, Air Force says
Russia has stepped up drone attacks in recent weeks — for the first time since the full-scale invasion, they targeted cities and towns across Ukraine on a daily basis for an entire month in September.
First group of Ukrainian pilots complete French jet training
The first cohort of Ukrainian pilots have completed Alpha Jet training in France, the French Armed Forces announced on Sept. 20.
Ukraine to receive another batch of Danish F-16s this year, minister says
The Danish government promised to transfer another batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of this year, the DR broadcaster reported on Sept. 15, citing Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.
After F-16 crash, West debates rushed training for Ukrainian pilots, WSJ reports
The training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s has been happening at an accelerated pace. Ukraine's pilot training program is ongoing, but "the crash shows what happens when you try to rush things," an unnamed senior defense official told the WSJ.
F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine unlikely shot down by 'friendly fire,' NYT suggests
"Friendly fire" from a Patriot missile battery is unlikely to have caused the downing of a U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet, the New York Times reported on Aug. 31, citing two undisclosed senior U.S. military officials.
Firing of Air Force Commander Oleshchuk not connected to deadly F-16 crash, Umerov says
"I would probably say this is a rotation," said Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. "This is two separate issues…at this stage, I would not connect them."
Zelensky dismisses Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk
President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Ukraine's Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Aug. 30. The decision was announced on the Presidential Office’s official website.
Ukraine's Air Force says US has joined investigation into deadly F-16 crash
Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said that Ukraine had "received a preliminary report" from the U.S., which he said "has already joined the investigation into the causes (of the crash)."
BREAKING: F-16 fighter jet crashes in Ukraine, military confirms
One of the F-16 fighter jets recently delivered to Ukraine crashed while repelling a Russian mass attack, Ukraine's General Staff said on Aug. 29.
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