Poland has confirmed that it plans to transfer up to nine MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine as part of an agreement involving an exchange for Ukrainian drone technology.
The decision was announced by Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski, who stated that Kyiv has already accepted the proposal, with only technical adjustments related to logistics and maintenance of the aircraft remaining.
According to Zalewski, the first batch will consist of fewer than ten jets, and negotiations are ongoing on a technical level between the defense ministries of the two countries. Poland views the operation as a way to modernize its fleet, as the MiG-29s are nearing the end of their service life, making room for the incorporation of more modern models such as the F-16 and FA-50.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the MiG-29s are crucial for the war effort, as the country’s pilots are already fully trained to operate this model. He pointed out that Ukraine’s greatest challenge is not the number of aircraft, but the availability of pilots, as training for the F-16 can take up to a year and a half.
The transfer of the fighter jets also aligns with NATO’s strategy to strengthen the alliance’s eastern flank and expand military support to Ukraine. For Warsaw, the agreement represents an opportunity for technological upgrading, while for Kyiv, it means an immediate boost to its air capabilities amid the ongoing conflict.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @Osinttechnical | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
Poland has announced that it will deliver up to 9 additional MiG-29 Fulcrums to the Ukrainian Air Force in the near future -Polish Deputy Defense Minister Zalewski
In addition to the aircraft, Poland is actively assembling another military aid package for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/PYrykfdZqr
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 15, 2026
