FC DynamoKyivAcademy trainee Roman Zozulia scored and then earned a penalty converted by Andriy Yarmolenko.
Ukraine coach Mykhailo Fomenko has a knack of springing surprises on opponents and did so again as the hosts refused to sit back in Kyiv, instead playing a pressing game.
Andriy Piatov has now gone eight internationals without conceding yet was soon forced into action to keep out Olivier Giroud's header. Yarmolenko responded in kind following an attack down the right, his attempt easily dealt with by Hugo Lloris, and for much of the opening half-hour the sides, both 4-3-3, cancelled each other out. It was Les Bleus who gradually took control, albeit without unduly troubling Piatov.
However, Ukraine lurked ominously, Yevhen Konoplianka sounding a couple of warnings before the break. He first had a powerful volley blocked by Mathieu Debuchy before Koscielny intervened to stop another effort destined for the bottom corner. The Arsenal FC defender was at fault, though, when he allowed Zozulya to collect the ball inside the area, work some space and shoot past Lloris.
France were soon dominating possession, making Ukraine's back four sweat. Still hosts centre backs Kucher and Khacheridi acted confidently.
82 minutes into the game lively Zozulya was felled by Koscielny and Yarmolenko extended the advantage with a fizzing spot kick.
After thet Ukrainians kept attacking. Roman Bezus made a substitute appearance 76 minutes into the match.
Oleh Husiev, who took the field several minutes before the time, also had a scoring chance.
As the pressure rose, Koscielny's misery was completed in stoppage time when he received a red card after tangling with Kucher, who also got his marching orders before the night was out. Both will miss the second leg.
www.fcdynamo.kiev.ua adapted from www.uefa.com
* photos by A. Lukatskyi, V. Rasner
