France won't abandon systemic support for Ukraine: expert on Scalp missile transfer

He said this on the Espreso TV channel.

Such a step shows that France is transferring missiles despite external factors, and this could be a long-term solution, the military expert believes.

"Such supplies can be provided regularly, equipping our air force with the necessary number of missiles. Additionally, France is currently preparing Mirage 2000-5 aircraft, which, in the medium term, will become one of the main platforms for deploying these effective missiles. This could be a powerful tool for the Ukrainian defense forces in countering the aggressor," Riabykh said.

Ukraine has already received missiles similar to the Scalp. Therefore, it’s likely that such decisions have been made multiple times.

"We are aware of several dozen such missiles reported by the media, including intentions to transfer or deliver them. We’ve seen the impact of these missiles in the temporarily occupied territories, specifically in Crimea and the Luhansk region, against the occupier's military targets. Now, we can rely on the statement by the French Defense Minister about the missile supply as part of President Macron's commitment to the President of Ukraine. This decision is largely political, demonstrating France's commitment to sustaining its support for Ukraine. Although 10 or so missiles were mentioned, this may not be a literal count; there could be up to a hundred," Riabykh said.

Earlier, France announced the supply of up to 50 guided aerial bombs, which have proven highly effective on the battlefield, particularly for destroying enemy targets at tactical and operational depths, the military expert added. "These bombs significantly bolster the aviation and air force capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and we receive them on a regular basis," he noted.

• The day before, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that France would provide Ukraine with around ten long-range Scalp missiles.