Mirage over the Black Sea

We do not know if this is a first, but it is certainly the first time we are tracking it.

This morning, a (or more likely a pair of) French Air Force Mirage 2000D (callsign FAF2103) flew a mission over the Black Sea.

The aircraft, which departed directly from Nancy AB in eastern France, conducted a flight of about an hour and a half (09:30 to 11:00 CET) over the Black Sea at an altitude of about 38,000 feet and at a speed of over 700 knots.

Part of the flight is not tracked because, in all probability, the French aircraft switched off the ADS-B transponder.

We have never before been able to track French aircraft over the Black Sea, let alone fighter-bombers like the Mirage 2000D. Further proof, if any were needed, that tensions in the area remain very high.