Ukraine was targeted overnight by at least 58 missiles and 194 Russian drones, the Ukrainian army reported on Friday.
For the first time, Kyiv used French Mirage 2000 fighter jets, delivered by France in February, to counter the attack.
In a statement, the Ukrainian air force specified that it had shot down at least 134 of the targets, including 34 missiles and 100 drones. This success was attributed to mobile units, anti-aircraft missiles, and electronic jamming equipment.
“Fighter jets, particularly F-16s and Mirage 2000s, were also involved. Notably, the French fighters, which arrived in Ukraine just a month ago, participated for the first time in repelling an enemy air attack,” the Ukrainian army elaborated. It said the “combined attack” mainly targeted “gas production sites” in Ukraine.
Separately, in a statement, the Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed it had struck “energy and gas infrastructure” supplying the Ukrainian “military-industrial complex” overnight.
This new wave of strikes follows the suspension of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine earlier this week amid high tensions between Kyiv and U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
These measures raise concerns over a significant weakening of Ukraine’s air defence capabilities against frequent and deadly Russian bombardments.
