Russia announced today, Friday, that it will destroy the fighter jets that Poland and Slovakia intend to send to Ukraine, referring to the 17 jets announced by the NATO member countries to provide to Kyiv. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that "this military equipment will be destroyed during the special operation." He added: "The decision to supply Kyiv with (MiG-29) fighters is a particular example of how some NATO countries are increasing their involvement in the conflict," which has been ongoing for more than a year.
Poland announced on Thursday that it would transfer 4 Soviet-designed MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine within days. Polish President Andrzej Duda told reporters: "In the initial phase, we will transfer 4 fully operational aircraft to Ukraine in the coming days." He added: "Additional aircraft are currently being prepared and serviced, and they may be transferred subsequently. Therefore, we can say that we are on the verge of sending these MiG planes to Ukraine." The president noted that "Poland currently has more than 10 MiG aircraft it inherited from the former German Democratic Republic. These aircraft are still in service in the Polish Air Force. They are in their final operational years, but most of them are still functioning at full capacity."
Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger announced on Friday that Bratislava will deliver 13 fighter jets of the same type to Ukraine, making Slovakia the second NATO member state to make such a decision after Poland. Heger told reporters, "We will send 13 of our MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine," pointing out that Bratislava will also send the "KUB" air defense system to Kyiv.
The White House announced that Poland's decision does not change the U.S. position against sending American aircraft to Kyiv. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that Poland's decision "does not change our calculations regarding the (F-16) aircraft," adding that the Polish step "does not affect or change" that.
