Slovakia to hand over its fleet of 13 Soviet fighter jets to Ukraine to defend against Russian invasion

The government of Slovakia approved a plan to give Ukraine its fleet of 13 Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jetsbecoming the second member country of the I WILL TAKE by agreeing to heed Ukrainian government calls for warplanes to help defend against invasion of Russia. .

The Prime Minister Edward Heger announced the unanimous decision of his government on Friday. Slovakia grounded its fleet last year and no longer uses the planes.

“Promises must be kept and when Zelensky asked for more weapons, including fighter jets, said we will do everything we can,” Heger tweeted, adding that military aid was essential to ensure Ukraine can “defend itself and All Europe contra Russia”.

Thursday, the president of Poland said that his country would give Ukraine a dozen MiG-29 fighter jets. President Andrzej Duda He said Thursday that Poland will deliver four of the Soviet-made fighter jets in the coming days and more will need service to be provided later.

Poland and Slovakia had indicated they were ready to hand over their planes, but only as part of a broader international coalition to do the same.

It is not clear whether other countries would also share their military aircraft. The debate on whether to provide Ukraine, which is not a member of the I WILL TAKEmilitary fighter jets began last year, but NATO allies held back, citing concerns about the alliance’s escalating role in the war.

Duda said that Poland currently has a dozen MiG aircraft which it inherited from the former German Democratic Republic.

“These MiGs are still in service with the Polish Air Force. They are in their final years of operation, but for the most part are still working at full capacity”Duda said.

MiGs transferred to Ukraine will be replaced in their country by South Korean FA-50 aircraft purchased by Poland, followed by American F-35.

Earlier Thursday, Polish Defense Minister, Mariusz Blaszczaksaid Poland wanted to transfer MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine “as part of a broader coalition of countries.”

Asked about the countries of this coalition, Blaszczak mentioned Slovakiabut added that “of course we are open to others”.

“We absolutely want to carry out our activity within the framework of a coalition,” he added.

Last year, Slovakianeighbor of Poland, declared itself ready to discuss shipment of MiG-29 aircraft to help replace Ukraine’s current reserve losses.

However, since then, no final decision has been made.

Duda made the Polish announcement after speaking with his Czech counterpart peter paulformer general of the I WILL TAKE.

The president’s comments came after his defense minister said earlier that Polish counterintelligence had dismantled a Russian spy network.

Blaszczak told Polish public radio that it was a “spy group…collecting information for those who attacked Ukraine”.

(With AP information)

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