Poland has sent 14 MiG-29 fighter jets and 325 tanks to Ukraine, the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the EU has reported.
“Out of 575 tanks delivered to Ukraine so far, 325 have been transferred by Poland. The Netherlands ranks second (85), Germany third (80) and the United States fourth (76). In addition, out of the 28 aircraft transferred to Kyiv so far, Poland has sent 14 MiG-29 fighters,” the post on Twitter reads.
On May 8, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak announced the dispatch of MiG-29 fighters.
In April, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that Warsaw would be able to supply Kyiv with a total of 14 MiG-29 fighters.
The MiG-29 is a fourth-generation Soviet and Russian multi-role fighter developed in the 1970s. It is designed to destroy air targets with guided missiles and an onboard cannon and to engage ground targets with unguided munitions. It has numerous modifications. The aircraft is operated by more than 20 countries.
Slovakia has handed over to Ukraine all 13 MiG-29 fighter jets that were promised, the press service of the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic reports.
“Slovakia has already handed over all 13 MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine. After four units were piloted by Ukrainian pilots in March this year, the remaining nine units were also successfully handed over to Ukrainian forces,” the statement posted on the website on Monday said.
Slovakia’s Defense Minister Jaroslav Nagy noted that “this transfer was carried out by land, taking into account the maximum possible safety.” He also expressed his gratitude to “all the components involved, because in such cases it is a really important and complex logistical operation.”
Nagy emphasized that the MiG-29 fighters “represent a significant support for Ukraine” against the Russian aggressor and to protect human lives.
“In addition, unlike our neighbor, these aircraft were unsuitable for us. We are doing the right thing,” the minister said.
Slovakia is ready, but has not yet sent MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, this issue was discussed in detail with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, said Slovak Foreign Minister Rastislav Kacher.
“We have not yet handed over the MIG-29s to you. But we are ready to do it. We are talking with our partners in NATO about how to do it. And today (Dec. 8) we had a very informative conversation with your president. My secretary of defense explained to your president how we can do this. And I think that in the coming weeks a Ukrainian delegation will come to Slovakia, and we will work together with our American friends to make this a reality,” Kacher told Interfax-Ukraine.
The foreign minister noted that on December 7 Slovakia approved “a couple of thousand missiles that are used for the MIG-29.” He also said that he discussed the issue of sending the planes with the president of Ukraine during a meeting.
“But we also discussed it at some length with President Zelensky, too. And I think I need to keep it a secret how it’s going to be done so as not to jeopardize it. But I will say that we had a very, very good exchange with President Zelensky today about how we’re going to do this. So I’m very optimistic, I think it will be done soon too, the planes will appear in Ukraine,” Kacher added.
