Poland Confirms Transfer of Warplanes to Ukraine

Warsaw claims it has bolstered Kiev’s air force by transferring ten MiG-29 warplanes. Poland was the first NATO member to make the pledge to send Ukraine fighter jets. 

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak confirmed the weapons transfer had taken place, fulfilling a promise made in March. In April, Slovenia sent Ukraine 13 MiG-29s. 

Ukrainian pilots are familiar with the Soviet-era warplanes. Polish President Andrzej Duda said Kiev would be able to use the aircraft immediately. The transfer comes ahead of an expected counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces. 

Recent statements from Western officials and leaked documents suggest Kiev’s counteroffensive may be headed for failure. On Saturday, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said, “The expectation from our counteroffensive campaign is overestimated in the world.” 

Kiev has been lobbying NATO members to send Western-made fighter jets like the F-16. So far, President Joe Biden has resisted calls coming from Kiev and Congress to send the advanced aircraft to Ukraine. However, the US and UK have begun training Ukrainian pilots on Western-made aircraft. 

Błaszczak said the transfer of MiG-29s will prod other countries to send Kiev F-16s. “We are not trying to put pressure on our allies. We only try to encourage them to support Ukraine,” he said.