Ukrainian pilots have arrived in Poland to start the process of taking control of fighter planes they expect to be donated by European countries, a Ukrainian government official told POLITICO.

The potential transfer of older Russian-made planes to be used in combat against Russian forces could be the most significant moment yet in a wave of promised arms transfers over the past 24 hours that includes thousands of anti-armor rockets, machine guns, artillery and other equipment.

It’s not clear just yet what countries are donating the jets, but European Union security chief Josep Borrell pledged over the weekend that the EU would fund the transfer the fighter planes from multiple countries.

Borrell walked that back slightly on Monday, acknowledging that any transfers wouldn’t come from the EU itself, but would instead be donated “bilaterally” by individual EU countries.

Representatives from the Polish and Slovakian governments did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov on Monday said he had rejected the request.

Poland and Slovakia still fly Russian-made planes similar to those used by the Ukrainian air force, meaning the pilots would not need much training if the planes were transferred.

In a move likely aimed at increasing pressure on Europe to act, the Ukrainian parliament on Monday tweeted that Europe was sending 70 fighter planes to Ukraine, including 28 MiG-29s from Poland, 12 from Slovakia and 16 from Bulgaria, along with 14 Su-25s from Bulgaria.

The fighter plane drama came on top of a flurry of announcements over the weekend that saw European leaders promise a flood of new weaponry for the Ukrainian military to assist in fighting off invading Russian troops, an overt and very public acknowledgment of Europe’s newfound will to inflict pain on the Kremlin for its military adventurism.

With the air corridors to Kyiv closed by Russian anti-aircraft weapons and fighter jets, U.S. and European powers have started pushing weapons into the country by road.

Poland, Estonia and Latvia were some of the first to act, sending ammunition, Javelin anti-armor weapons, fuel and medical supplies to the Ukraine border for hand-off to Ukrainian forces.

On Monday, Finland announced it would join the club, pledging 2,500 assault rifles, ammunition, 1,500 anti-tank weapons and 70,000 ration packages to Ukraine. Sweden is also readying a large arms and aid package, announcing the upcoming delivery of 135,000 field rations, 5,000 helmets, body armor and 5,000 anti-tank weapons.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is heading to Poland Tuesday to coordinate the shipment of 100 Carl Gustaf anti-armor rocket launchers, along with 2,000 munitions and other aid.

Speaking with reporters before the trip, she said “we will be able to make sure to send lethal aid to Ukraine. My role in this is to make sure that this aid gets in the arms of Ukrainian soldiers that are fighting for their life and fighting for their motherland. That’s exactly why I've been able to get an agreement from Poland to make sure that that delivery could be done through their borders.”

One of the biggest surprises in recent European political history came Saturday, when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced he was sending 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger missiles to Ukraine, a reversal of the German post-war policy of barring the transfer of arms to warring parties. He also pledged an immediate $100 billion infusion into the German military.

President Joe Biden also ordered the release of up to $350 million worth of weapons from U.S. stocks to Ukraine on Friday. Speaking with reporters at the Pentagon Monday, a senior U.S. Defense Department official declined to go into detail about what will be included, but said “there will be capabilities in there to help them with both their ground defensive capabilities as well as airborne defensive capabilities.”

Svlla:
Easy pick for S300

EU should stop funding this war with their hypocrisy and is there any agreement with Russia to transfer Russia made planes to Ukraine?

I said it here earlier that the West is in a tearing race to re arm Ukraine and resupply it with military hardwares because of the effective demilitarisation of Ukraine and the elimination of almost all Ukraine military hardwares, including over 300 tanks and armored vehicles, 30+ aircrafts with most sitting duck, and 29+command centres, bringing to a total of 1211 military infrastructures destroyed by the Russia military.

Why the need to restock Ukraine if not wanting to prolong this conflict.

Well Russia still controls the Ukrainian airspace and is unbothered by some obsolete 2nd generation fighters.

seunny4lif:
It’s has already be denied
But if it’s truth, how will they get it to Ukraine because they can’t fly those aircrafts from Poland to attack Russian jets.

icebird25:


Your brain is full of relaxer

Botlord:

Don't discourage them sir.
There's nothing bad if they start packing Ukrainians body in an ambulance.
This people think they have a chance because Russia is still lenient with them

Svlla:
Easy pick for S300

EU should stop funding this war with their hypocrisy and is there any agreement with Russia to transfer Russia made planes to Ukraine?

I said it here earlier that the West is in a tearing race to re arm Ukraine and resupply it with military hardwares because of the effective demilitarisation of Ukraine and the elimination of almost all Ukraine military hardwares, including over 300 tanks and armored vehicles, 30+ aircrafts with most sitting duck, and 29+command centres, bringing to a total of 1211 military infrastructures destroyed by the Russia military.

Why the need to restock Ukraine if not wanting to prolong this conflict.

Well Russia still controls the Ukrainian airspace and is unbothered by some obsolete 2nd generation fighters.

BritishNaija:

Why should it be easy pick for S-300, are They flying to russia?.

Svlla:
Because Russia air defence is in Ukriane and it controls the Ukrainian airspace

Have you wondered why all those EU aids are coming by land through Polish and other Nato nations border

Don't fly anything to Kiev ryt now

BritishNaija:


Please there is No Russia Air defence in Ukraine rather Russian war jets going To and Fro, Ukrainian military still controls significant parts of Kiev from which their fighter planes operates

Svlla:
On the contrary, it is Russain air and ground anti air units that control Ukrainian airspace since Saturday morning that was confirmed

Right now no one can enter Ukraine especially Kiev by air
Only area close to Polish borders are clear for foreign aircraft to operate but its a big risk

No EU country will send an aircraft to Ukraine now that the reason they are asking the Ukrainians to pick this aircraft themselves

BritishNaija:

Commercial NO. Ukrainian Airforce still operates from kiev.

Svlla:
No Ukrainian aircraft can operate within Kiev
Between Kiev to Kharkiv (both cities are quite close) and west and north of Kiev are Russian forces with anti air and their are two additional advances from the North West and southeast. Kiev is under siege

Svlla:
No Ukrainian aircraft can operate within Kiev
Between Kiev to Kharkiv (both cities are quite close) and west and north of Kiev are Russian forces with anti air and their are two additional advances from the North West and southeast. Kiev is under siege

BritishNaija:


Brother Ukraine Airforce still operates from kiev, Two Ukrainian Pilots was killed during a dogfight, one male one female.

Svlla:
I don't know if this is true but that implies that Russia controls Ukrainian airspace, if Ukrainian aircraft are shot down from Ukrainian sky

So we are saying the same thing

Svlla:
On the contrary, it is Russain air and ground anti air units that control Ukrainian airspace since Saturday morning that was confirmed

Right now no one can enter Ukraine especially Kiev by air
Only area close to Polish borders are clear for foreign aircraft to operate but its a big risk

No EU country will send an aircraft to Ukraine now that the reason they are asking the Ukrainians to pick this aircraft themselves

seunny4lif:
Russia troops have cut off around 100K Ukraine troops in East Ukraine.
The main road is now in control of Russia military

mysticwarrior:
this people still haven't realize that the Russians mean serious business.

BritishNaija:


Brother leave russian propaganda. The sky of kieV is highly contested, here is Ukraine Missile defence going off in kieve below.

And another Missile strucking russian plane.

Svlla:
Then why the need to transfer 1000 anti tank and over 300 portable air defence systems to Ukraine

Look at the weapons The West said it will send to Ukraine that should tell you something