The aircraft was not shot down, authorities emphasize. There are no casualties or damage on the ground

Ukraine recorded last night, Tuesday 22 July 2025, the loss of its first French-made multirole fighter aircraft Mirage 2000, which crashed in the Volyn region during the execution of a flight mission from one of the local airfields. Fortunately, the pilot managed to eject in time and is in stable condition, having received the necessary medical care after being promptly located and rescued by search and rescue teams. No casualties or ground damage have been reported, as the aircraft fell in an uninhabited area, sinking into the waters of a volcanic lake in a marshy zone.

The news was confirmed this morning by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who in his speech expressed regret over the loss of "a very effective French combat aircraft, one of our Mirage fighters". However, the president emphasized that the incident was not caused by a shootdown by Russian forces, but by a technical problem.

According to initial information released by the Ukrainian Air Force and later detailed by the State Investigative Bureau (DBR), the pilot, immediately after takeoff, reported to the flight supervisor a "critical electronic failure" on board. His actions, described as "professional" and in accordance with the procedures established for crisis situations, allowed him to avoid far more serious consequences on the ground.

The DBR office promptly launched a preliminary investigation into the event. A special investigative team, composed of experts in military aviation accidents from both territorial and central DBR offices, arrived at the crash site to collect evidence. The investigators have already inspected the area, seized operational documentation and other evidentiary elements, and interviewed witnesses. Further interrogations of responsible personnel, technical examinations, and analysis of flight recorder data, if present and recoverable, are planned.

The inquiry will focus particularly on the examination of the aircraft’s technical condition, compliance with pre-flight regulations, and the effectiveness of controls carried out by responsible personnel. Simultaneously, a service investigation is underway within the military unit to ascertain all causes and conditions that led to the accident. The investigation is under the strict oversight of the DBR management, given the strategic importance of air safety during wartime.

The incident represents a severe blow to Kiev’s armed forces, which are striving to strengthen their air capabilities with help from Western partners. The Mirage 2000 fighters, designed by Dassault Aviation, began being delivered to Ukraine earlier this year as part of the French military aid package, and Ukrainian pilots and mechanics have undergone specific training in eastern France to operate these aircraft. The loss of such an asset, even if not caused by enemy fire, highlights the operational and logistical challenges Ukraine faces in maintaining its air fleet within the context of a prolonged conflict.