News Feed

German media: Berlin to approve Polish transfer of ex-East German fighter jets to Ukraine

2 min read
German media: Berlin to approve Polish transfer of ex-East German fighter jets to Ukraine
A ground staff directs the Mig-29 fighter jet of the Ukrainian Air Force after a flight during a training session in a military airbase at the Vasylkiv air base on Nov. 23, 2016. (Danil Shamkin/NurPhoto)

The German government has decided to approve Poland's request to give Ukraine Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets that had originally belonged to the East German air force before reunification, German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on April 12, citing sources in government circles.

According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the final decision on Warsaw's application will be made on April 12.

As the jets, of which Poland has around a dozen and requested to send five to Ukraine according to Süddeutsche Zeitung, where sold by Germany to Warsaw in 2002, Berlin's permission must be received for such a transfer, just like with any other German-made arms such as the Leopard 2 tank.

Poland has already sent eight of its own MiG-29 jets to Ukraine, with a further six promised to be on the way.

Ukraine is campaigning hard for its partners to send fighter jets, particularly the U.S.-built multirole F-16, saying they are needed to support offensive operations and defend against missile and guided bomb attacks.

While some countries including the U.K. and the Netherlands have said that such deliveries were "not off the table," no country has agreed to provide Western-built combat aircraft yet.

Unlike Western jets, the Soviet-built MiGs, which Ukraine already operates, can be put into service quickly, without months of flying and logistics training.

Russia’s new guided bombs pose increasingly serious threat to Ukraine
Still unable to achieve air supremacy, Russia is nevertheless finding ways to threaten Ukraine from the sky. Early this year, Russia introduced guided bombs — essentially, the regular gravity bombs modified to be dropped by multirole fighter-bombers from safe distances and deal precise and very dam…
Article image
Avatar
The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

Read more
News Feed
 (Updated:  )

U.S. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire deadline he set for Russia — scheduled for Aug. 8 — now depends on Vladimir Putin. "We’re going to see what he has to say. It's going to be up to him," Trump told reporters on Aug. 7.

Show More