Aerial War in Ukraine - The First Mirage 2000s Have Arrived
The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began three years ago, on February 24, 2022. This continuation of the series does not only cover the most recent period from February 1, 2025, to February 28, 2025, but also recaps events from the past year. However, we will start with the most significant updates—developments on the global political scene.
Miro Barič
The First Mirage 2000s Have Arrived
The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began three years ago, on February 24,
2022. This continuation of the series does not only cover the most recent period
from February 1, 2025, to February 28, 2025, but also recaps events from the past
year. However, we will start with the most significant updates—developments on
the global political scene.
Aerial War in Ukraine
Following the inauguration of President
Trump, the United States began distancing itself
from its allies. On the one hand, they are correct
in stating that Europe has long relied on the U.S.
for defense, and it is about the time for Europe
to take responsibility for its own security.
On the other hand, it is strange, at the very least,
that the U.S. treats long-standing allies worse
than open adversaries. This applies not only to
Europe but also to Canada and Greenland.
Ukraine felt this shift the most. President
Volodymyr Zelensky was invited to the White
House only for Vice President Vance to publicly
argue with him, after which President Trump
dismissed him. Subsequently, U.S. military
aid and intelligence support for Ukraine were
temporarily suspended. As a result, Kyiv
agreed to a ceasefire without any conditions.
Currently, Moscow is taking their time, setting
one condition after another during negotiations.
Now, let’s take a look at what has happened
in Ukraine over the past year.
February 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
dismissed the popular General Valerii
Zaluzhnyi from his position as the supreme
commander of Ukraine’s armed forces.
He was replaced by Oleksandr Syrskyi, who
has not proven very effective. Despite heavy
losses, Russian forces captured the city of
Avdiivka, which had long resisted. Its fall was
facilitated by the interruption of U.S. arms
and ammunition supplies and Russian aerial
bombing using glide bombs. Ukrainian air
defenses attempted to counter these attacks,
reporting a series of successes, including the
confirmed destruction of at least two Su-35s
and one Beriev A-50, damage to one Su-34, and
the probable destruction of six Su-34s. In naval
operations, Ukraine sank the missile corvette
Ivanovets and the landing ship César Kunikov.
March 2024
Republicans in the U.S. Congress continued
blocking military aid to Ukraine. A positive
development, however, was the launch of
the Czech initiative to purchase artillery
ammunition for Ukraine. Ukrainian forces began
running out of air defense missiles, leading
to increased losses in ground equipment,
MiG-29 from the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade,
this time in the typical digital camouflage.
UKRAINE
INFO Eduard26
April 2025