The Slovak government on Friday approved the donation of Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. This was announced by Acting Prime Minister Eduard Heger.
Slovakia thus became the second country to officially confirm the transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine. The day before, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that in the near future Kiev will receive 4 MiG-29s that were in service with this country.
How many planes will be transferred to Ukraine and when exactly – has not yet been specified. Until September last year, Slovakia had 11 Soviet-made aircraft in service, the authorities announced that they were ready to transfer 10 of them to Ukraine, one will be sent to the museum. In addition, Ukraine will receive 3 fighter jets that were decommissioned earlier – apparently they are used for spare parts.
Slovakia abandoned the MiG-29, accepting the supply of American F-16s. Prior to their delivery, the country’s airspace is patrolled by air force planes from the neighboring Czech Republic.
The Slovak government actively supports Ukraine in the war with Russia; earlier, the country supplied Kiev with Soviet S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems, Zuzana 2 howitzers and other military equipment. At the same time, the government is now technically retired, snap elections are scheduled for September and, according to polls, forces configured to reduce support for Ukraine can succeed.
The day before, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that Warsaw would send four combat-ready MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine in the coming days and would continue to supply such equipment in the future.
Now, according to open data, Poland has 28 MiG-29 fighters, from the words of Duda it follows that 16 of them are in working order. The part can be put on parts or repaired.
The MiG-29 is used by the Ukrainian Air Force, before the start of the war, according to the World Air Forces 2022 directory, there were 51 aircraft of this type in Ukraine, including combat training ones . The Military Balance directory reported 37 such fighters. The deaths of at least 18 of them are authentically known, their fragments were photographed and videotaped. Actual losses, taking into account damaged or destroyed airfields, may be higher.
Ukraine has been asking for fighter jets almost since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. Poland and Slovakia have long announced the possibility of such deliveries, but have not officially announced them, waiting for the initiative to be coordinated with Western allies. Washington clarifies that the supply of fighter jets falls within the jurisdiction of the authorities of one country or another. The United States itself has not announced its intention to supply Ukraine with its combat aircraft in the foreseeable future.
