Russia threatens to destroy Ukraine jets after Poland and Slovakia pledges
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 6:17 am
Russia threatens to destroy Ukraine jets after Poland and Slovakia pledges
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64988504
Russia has threatened to destroy any fighter jets given to Ukraine by its allies, after two countries promised planes.
Slovakia became the second Nato country to pledge Kyiv some MiG-29 aircraft on Friday, a day after Poland.
Slovakia's fleet was grounded last year and it no longer uses the jets.
Ukraine has asked Western countries for modern jets, but because of long training times, these are seen only as long-term options.
It sees extra aircraft as important for its defences and possible counter-attacks, a year into Russia's invasion.
Other Nato countries are considering sending planes such as the MiG-29 - a model which dates from the time of the Soviet Union - which Ukrainian pilots are trained to fly.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the plans, saying that the aircraft would not affect the outcome of Moscow's "special military operation", as it calls the war.
He said they would only "bring additional woes for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people".
"Of course, during the special military operation, all this equipment will be subject to destruction," the spokesman added.
The Polish and Slovak pledges are a positive move for Ukraine - which has more pilots than planes - but will not make a decisive difference.
The Ukrainians say what they really need is US-made F-16 fighters.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64988504
Russia has threatened to destroy any fighter jets given to Ukraine by its allies, after two countries promised planes.
Slovakia became the second Nato country to pledge Kyiv some MiG-29 aircraft on Friday, a day after Poland.
Slovakia's fleet was grounded last year and it no longer uses the jets.
Ukraine has asked Western countries for modern jets, but because of long training times, these are seen only as long-term options.
It sees extra aircraft as important for its defences and possible counter-attacks, a year into Russia's invasion.
Other Nato countries are considering sending planes such as the MiG-29 - a model which dates from the time of the Soviet Union - which Ukrainian pilots are trained to fly.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the plans, saying that the aircraft would not affect the outcome of Moscow's "special military operation", as it calls the war.
He said they would only "bring additional woes for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people".
"Of course, during the special military operation, all this equipment will be subject to destruction," the spokesman added.
The Polish and Slovak pledges are a positive move for Ukraine - which has more pilots than planes - but will not make a decisive difference.
The Ukrainians say what they really need is US-made F-16 fighters.