On the topic of Polish MiG-29s for Ukraine. We, as a country at war and as a society, very often let emotions influence questions of military-technical cooperation, which actually require a clear, cold-headed approach—and this is largely counterproductive.
I recall, for example, that around autumn 2024, many compatriots were surprised that Poland supposedly did not want to transfer weapons it had purchased from South Korea—“how come, we asked for it!”—and people even felt offended.
This overlooked the fact that transferring such equipment would first require approval from South Korea, and on that issue there was no systematic public diplomacy on our side. (Examples of similarly unfounded expectations from partners over the past few years are numerous, but that is not the main point.)
The real issue is the overly emotional reaction surrounding the current story about MiG-29 aircraft from Poland.
There is a good rule: “if something seems unclear, interpret it literally.”
If we apply this principle here, Polish MiG-29s are aircraft that have reached the end of their service life. Within a maximum of six months, they would likely be scrapped, and if it is already unsafe for Polish pilots to fly them, why would it suddenly be safe for Ukrainian pilots?
By the way, the MiG-29 is literally a 50-year-old aircraft. This means the type was already 17 years old when I was born.
One could argue that these MiG-29s from Poland could serve as “donors for spare parts.”
However, there is an interesting piece of news that is being stubbornly ignored even by those who present themselves as supporters of good Ukraine–Poland relations.
Adam Leszkiewicz, head of the board of the Polish defence industry group Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ, the local equivalent of Ukroboronprom), said in an interview with Ukrinform just three days ago: “Today we are also discussing support, repair, and maintenance services for Ukrainian F-16 and MiG-29 aircraft delivered to Ukraine by partners.”
The logic then follows: if this proposal from PGZ is implemented, then in order to maintain the combat readiness of Ukrainian MiG-29s, the Polish side would have to use its own MiG-29s as sources of spare parts.
In other words, these Polish aircraft would still contribute to strengthening the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but in a rather specific way.
There is simply too much emotion in issues that could be clarified calmly by specialists in the field.
