Strana 31
strike group consists either of other F-16s
armed with guided bombs or older aircraft
such as MiG-29s or Su-27s. Sometimes F-16
pilots in the escort group deliberately expose
themselves to enemy fighters, forcing them
to fire and expend their missiles. This creates
an opportunity for the strike group. The pilot
recalls such a mission when he was in a three-
aircraft group and they forced the enemy to
launch missiles at them from two different
directions, which they then had to outmaneuver.
“The result, however, was that we gave the
strike aircraft the opportunity to destroy the
target, and the entire group safely returned to
base, back to our unit and families,” the pilot
added.
Mirage Fighters Are Just Few
In addition to F-16s, the Ukrainian Air
Force uses one more Western type. Some
details about the Mirage 2000-5F fighters
also emerged during the monitored period.
It appears that Ukraine has so far received
only three aircraft, one of which has already
been lost in an accident.
According to statements
by French officials,
however, the training
of Ukrainian pilots is
ongoing, and Ukraine
should soon receive two
more fighters.
The first photo has
also appeared confir-
ming that Ukrainian
aircraft are armed with
MICA EM missiles. In the
image, a Mirage 2000-5F
carries them under the fuselage. Under the
wings it carries the large external fuel tanks,
and on the outer wing pylons it carries Mat-
ra R.550 Magic 2 missiles. Until now, only
photos showing these short-range Magic 2
missiles had been known. The MICA EM mi-
ssiles are medium-range (reported at 60 to
80 km), which theoretically allows engage-
ment of enemy aircraft as well. However, like
the F-16s, Ukrainian Mirage 2000-5Fs primari-
ly serve to destroy cruise missiles that Russia
sends toward Ukrainian cities almost every
night. In 2025, for example, there were only
four days when no projectile was directed at
Ukraine. In the remaining 361 days, it had to
face drone, missile, and cruise missile attacks.
UKRAJINA
A Ukrainian Mirage 2000-5F fighter armed with a MICA missile.
A Ukrainian F-16 fighter armed with GBU-39 SDB (Small Diameter Bomb) guided bombs.
Cruise missile kill marking sported by a Mirage 2000-5F.
German Gepard anti-aircraft tanks continue fighting
the drones.
INFO Eduard
31
March 2026