Zelenskyy said that Kyiv would be allowed to acquire up to 100 Rafale F4s by 2035, marking it as the third pillar of Ukraine's new air force.

Ukraine is seeking up to 100 of the French fighters as part of a long-term modernization program that also includes Saab Gripens. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a declaration of intent on defense equipment acquisition at Villacoublay air base near Paris on Nov. 17.

A Ukrainian Mirage 2000-5F was shown with six Kh-101 ALCM kill markings in a rare close-up look at the French-supplied jet delivered earlier this year. A

Elsewhere, the president of Finland warned that a ceasefire in Ukraine is unlikely before the spring and urged European allies to keep up support.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban sharply criticised EU chief Ursula von der Leyen for asking member states to send more financial aid to Ukraine, as Russia steps up attacks in the war's fourth year

Ukraine is working to resume prisoner exchanges with Russia, potentially bringing home 1,200 Ukrainian prisoners

A Ukrainian Air Force Mirage 2000 heads out on a combat mission, awaiting good news from France,” the military wrote in the video caption. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine had placed a “historic order” with France that includes 100 Rafale fighter jets.

Life support facilities and critical infrastructure in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa were forced onto backup power by overnight Russian strikes on energy targets.