Ukraine confirms crash of French-supplied Mirage-2000 fighter jet

The Head of the Communications Directorate of the Ukrainian Air Force, Yurii Ihnat, has confirmed the crash of a Mirage-2000 fighter jet supplied to Ukraine by France.

Ihnat emphasised that the pilot who was operating the French jet successfully handled the emergency situation, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing Ihnat’s Facebook page.

"The Mirage-2000 pilot acted competently in a crisis situation. The aircraft could no longer be saved, but the pilot did everything possible to direct the jet to a safe area, away from populated areas," he explained.

The head of the Air Force urged people not to jump to conclusions about the cause of the crash.

"These things happen with aircraft in the sky — the causes will be determined. Such incidents are not uncommon globally. The main thing is that the pilot is alive, well, and there were no consequences on the ground," he concluded.

Earlier, the Air Force reported that the French jet had crashed, noting that the pilot had managed to eject in time.

An official statement noted that a special commission has been appointed to determine the cause of the incident.

France’s delivery of these fourth-generation multirole fighters produced by Dassault Aviation as part of military aid to Ukraine was first announced on February 6.

By Vugar Khalilov