Poland Cancels Up to 14 MiG-29 Transfers to Ukraine as Drone-Technology Deal Collapses
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Post · Jun 30
Poland Cancels Up to 14 MiG-29 Transfers to Ukraine as Drone-Technology Deal Collapses
3 articles · Updated · Kyiv Post · Jun 30
Summary
Up to 14 Polish MiG-29 airframes will no longer go to Ukraine after Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Kyiv withdrew from a proposed “MiGs for drones” arrangement.
Poland had tied the transfer to Ukrainian drone deliveries and partial sharing of advanced drone know-how, arguing aid should be reciprocal after Warsaw has already sent about $5 billion in military support since 2022.
The scrapped batch appears to cover six to eight written-off jets due by end-2026, though earlier talks had already stalled over who would pay to upgrade the aging aircraft.
Ukrainian-linked reporting also said the MiG-29s were of limited combat value; Ukraine now flies about 21 donated F-16s and is set to start receiving up to 36 Saab Gripen C/D fighters in early 2027.
The dispute adds to broader strain in a usually close alliance, where Poland wants access to Ukraine’s battlefield-proven drone capabilities and historical grievances have recently sharpened political tensions.