President Andrzej Duda has announced that Poland will send its four Mig29s to Ukraine, with more such deliveries to follow.
Poland announced it would send four MiG-29 jet fighters to Ukraine, making it the first Western country to dispatch jets to Kyiv. The help has come amidst Ukraine’s preparations for counteroffensive operations against Russia. The announcement has indicated a significant improvement in military support for Kyiv.
“In the next days, we are handing over four aircraft to Ukraine in complete operational order,” Duda stated during a news conference in Warsaw with the newly inaugurated president of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel. As a result of Kyiv’s requests for military aid to combat Russian forces, other NATO nations may decide to contribute jets.
Duda stated that the MiGs were “still in working order”, although they were approaching the end of their lives after 30 years of service. According to the president, more Polish MiGs are being maintained and repaired in anticipation of being delivered to Ukraine. Poland currently has 28 MiG-29 aircraft, but South Korean FA-50 and US F-35 aircraft will replace them over the next few years.
Poland at the Forefront
The announcement has put Poland back at the forefront of European policy-making regarding Ukraine. Poland, one of Ukraine’s most ardent friends in its struggle against Russia, has frequently taken the initiative in occasionally persuading reluctant countries to give Kyiv heavy weapons. For example, Warsaw’s efforts to assemble a group of nations willing to supply Leopard 2 tanks built in Germany to Kyiv were successful.
President Duda suggested that Poland may send more fighter jets in the upcoming weeks. In the forthcoming weeks, Slovakia, a neighbouring NATO member, will also likely contribute aircraft.
Ukraine’s Need for Modern Warplanes
Moreover, Ukraine has requested American-made F-16 fighter fighters, but the Biden administration has consistently denied the request. The White House called the announcement a “sovereign decision” and said they “respect such sovereign decisions”. The U.S. also praised Poland for continuing to “fight above their weight” to aid Kyiv. Nevertheless, the White House emphasised that President Joseph Biden, who has rejected requests to send U.S. F-16s to help Ukraine, would not be affected by the recent move.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters, “Such countries decide both what they’re going to deliver and how they’re going to characterise it, ” and that “the decision doesn’t affect calculus concerning the United States and its F-16 fighter jets”.
More Assistance on the Way?
“We are in the absolute vanguard when it comes to assisting Ukraine, both at humanitarian and military levels”, Czech president Petr Pavel said while joining Duda in the press conference.
In recent months, the U.S. and NATO member states have promised to provide Ukraine with additional weapons, including advanced rockets like HIMARs. Recently, Olaf Scholz, the chancellor of Germany, declared that his nation would provide 14 Leopard 2 tanks in response to international pressure. In addition, U.S. President Joseph Biden also said he would give Ukraine 31 M1 Abrams tanks.
Moreover, the U.S. and others have sent artillery munitions, which the Ukrainian military has often employed.
Suspected Russian Spy Network Busted in Poland
“Nine alleged Russian spies were detained on Thursday, ” according to the Polish Internal Security Agency (ABW), allegedly trying to damage NATO operations.
Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski said those apprehended were “foreigners from beyond the eastern border.” He continued that the accused “conducted espionage operations against Poland and planned acts of sabotage at the direction of Russian intelligence,” he continued.
Further information would be released later, according to Kaminski, who added that the operation against the alleged espionage ring was still ongoing.
