The Ukrainian Air Force has received a batch of French Mirage 2000-5 and US-made F-16 multi-role fighter jets from the Netherlands, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Thursday.

"Ukraine's air fleet continues to develop," Zelenskyy wrote on social media. "The first Mirage 2000 jets from France have arrived, adding to our air defense capabilities. I thank [French President] Emmanuel Macron for his leadership and support. France's president keeps his word, and we appreciate it. This is another step in strengthening Ukraine's security."

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu also confirmed the delivery, stating that the Mirage jets are now in operation. "Manned by Ukrainian pilots who have trained in France for several months, they will now participate in the defense of Ukraine's skies," Lecornu said.

While neither Zelenskyy nor Lecornu disclosed the exact number of Mirage jets delivered, a French parliamentary budget report from last year indicated that France had planned to send six of its 26 Mirage 2000-5 aircraft to Ukraine. The French Defense Ministry has not confirmed these figures due to security concerns.

The Mirage jets have reportedly undergone modifications to enhance their battlefield effectiveness, including air-to-ground combat capabilities and anti-electronic warfare defenses to counter Russian jammers.

Dutch F-16 Jets Arrive in Ukraine

On the same day, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that additional US-made F-16 fighter jets had arrived from the Netherlands. "These aircraft will soon begin carrying out combat missions, strengthening our defense alongside the French Mirage jets," Umerov stated.

President Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of these deliveries, particularly as Ukraine continues to expand its F-16 fleet with European support. "With the latest deliveries, we are also continuing to expand our F-16 fleet, with the Netherlands fulfilling its commitments to support this effort," he said.

Several European countries, including Norway, have pledged F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. These reinforcements are particularly critical as Kyiv faces uncertainty over continued US support following President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

"I am grateful to everyone who helps and contributes to this," Zelenskyy added.

Russia Claims Ukrainian Offensive Repelled in Kursk

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Thursday that its forces had repelled another Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region, a southwestern area partly under Ukrainian occupation.

While independent verification of the battlefield claims remains impossible, Russian officials have stated that Ukraine’s initial cross-border incursion in August captured over 1,000 square kilometers of territory. However, subsequent Russian counterattacks have reclaimed more than half of that land.

On Wednesday evening, President Zelenskyy acknowledged the significance of the Kursk operation, calling it "a critical step for our fight."

"At some point, when the war moves toward a diplomatic resolution, you will see just how important this operation was," he said. "Their forces are stuck like a magnet."

It has been suggested that Ukrainian military officials view their hold on parts of Kursk as a strategic advantage in potential peace negotiations with Russia.

Ukraine Claims Strike on Russian Airfield

Elsewhere, Ukrainian forces claimed to have struck an airfield in Krasnodar, southern Russia, allegedly used to launch Iran-designed Shahed drones.

The Primorsko-Akhtarsk airfield reportedly houses drones and aircraft responsible for attacks on Ukraine’s Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed shooting down Ukrainian drones over Krasnodar but did not mention the airfield.

Back in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 77 drones at various targets overnight. Of these, 56 were destroyed and 18 were jammed. Additionally, two ballistic Iskander-M missiles struck Ukrainian territory, damaging buildings but causing no casualties.

As the conflict continues, Ukraine remains reliant on international military aid to strengthen its air defenses and maintain its territorial integrity.