Poland approves transfer of up to nine MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine

Poland has approved, in principle, the transfer of up to nine MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine and is conducting technical consultations with Kyiv to finalize details, Deputy Defence Minister Paweł Zalewski said following an interview on Jan. 15. Zalewski said Warsaw is awaiting a formal response from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and described the exchanges as procedural. "We are waiting for the answer of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. Discussions are ongoing... these are completely technical discussions," he said.

Zalewski indicated that Kyiv “appeared open to the transfer” and added that he believed Ukraine had decided to accept the offer. "I believe... Ukrainians made the decision to accept this offer. Of course, there are some technical aspects which shall be clarified, as always." Ukrinform reported that the initial stage would include transferring "fewer than ten" MiG-29 fighters, language consistent with the widely reported "up to nine" figure.

The announcement builds on Warsaw’s earlier comments and past action. In December 2025 another deputy defence minister, Cezary Tomczyk, said six to eight Soviet-era MiG-29 jets in Polish service were nearing the end of their operational life and were planned for withdrawal by the end of 2025, opening the possibility of transfers as part of planned force modernization or equipment swaps. Poland previously sent 14 MiG-29s to Ukraine in spring 2023, becoming the first country to supply Kyiv with operational warplanes after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Poland’s move reflects a sustained policy of military support. Ukrainian officials and Polish reporting note Warsaw has provided more than EUR 4 billion in military aid and has been a logistics hub for Western assistance. One outlet quoted "Polish President Karol Nawrocki" as saying Poland was seeking a form of "symmetrical partnership" in the context of MiG-29 transfers, an aim that underscores Warsaw’s effort to balance solidarity with Ukraine and its own force-planning needs.

The technical talks are expected to cover airworthiness, selection of specific airframes, spare parts and maintenance packages, pilot and ground crew arrangements, and delivery logistics. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a visit to Warsaw in December, said Ukrainian pilots would not require retraining on MiG-29s, a factor that could shorten the timetable if both sides finalize terms. Polish officials have not publicly confirmed a delivery schedule, and Zalewski made clear the transfer will proceed only after a formal Ukrainian acceptance and the resolution of technical details.

The potential transfer carries diplomatic and strategic implications beyond the immediate logistics. For Kyiv, additional MiG-29s would provide tactical flexibility and sustain fighter numbers as it seeks to maintain control of its airspace. For Warsaw and NATO partners, transfers of Soviet-era equipment can ease interoperability challenges while Poland accelerates modernization of its own forces. The move also risks predictable criticism from Moscow, which views Western military support for Ukraine as provocative; Warsaw and Kyiv must therefore calibrate coordination with allies to manage escalation risks and legal considerations under international law.

Next steps hinge on a written reply from Ukraine’s defense ministry and on the completion of technical assessments, after which Poland would need to specify which airframes will be withdrawn and the accompanying maintenance and logistical support. Officials on both sides have signalled a pragmatic, step-by-step approach aimed at minimizing operational gaps for Poland while reinforcing Ukraine’s capacity to defend its skies.