Ukraine lost its pilot and An-26 aircraft; France grants “heavy dollar” weapons

“An-26 transport plane crashed near the Mikhailovka area of ​​the Zaporizhzhia province in the Southeast Ukraine during a technical test flight,” the Zaporizhzhia provincial official said in a post on social media on April 22.

The An-26 crashed in foggy conditions, slamming into high-voltage power lines while flying low, causing the engine to catch fire and sending the plane crashing to the ground.

“One pilot was killed, while two others on board were injured after the crash,” Ukrainian officials confirmed.

The crash is a major loss for Ukraine’s air force, which has suffered a lot since a conflict with Russia on February 24. Before the war, the Ukrainian army had about 20 An-26s.

The scene of the Ukrainian An-26 transport plane that crashed on April 22. Photo: Twitter/Liveuamap.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has entered its 59th day and although the two sides have had some peace talks, it seems that tensions have not shown any signs of abating, especially in the Donbas region, eastern Ukraine.

In that context, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the country was transferring Caesar self-propelled artillery and anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, but did not disclose the number.

“We are supplying important equipment from the Milan anti-tank missile to the Caesar self-propelled howitzer,” Emmanuel Macron told Ouest-France newspaper, stressing. always aware of the ‘red line’ that will not become a party to the war in Ukraine.”

Ukrainian tanks in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

President Macron also said that about 40 Ukrainian soldiers will be trained to operate the new weapons in France from April 23. French Defense Minister Florence Parly later confirmed they would deliver “several Caesar cannons and thousands of shells” to Ukraine.

However, the Elysee Palace declined to disclose details of the number of weapons that will be transferred to Kiev because “do not want to reveal information” but said that “the Milan anti-tank missile has been handed over, and the artillery will be delivered in the coming days”. .