Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat stated that Kyiv expects to receive American F-16 fighters rather than Mirage, Tornado, or MiG aircraft. He conveyed this information to NV.ua, emphasizing a strategic preference for Western fourth-generation jets to bolster Ukraine’s air capabilities.
Ignat noted that the Mirage family, particularly the Mirage 2000, should be examined to understand the comparative advantages it may offer in relation to MiG-29 variants. He suggested that evaluating these aircraft side by side would clarify why Western fighters are viewed as the more suitable option for Ukraine’s defense needs.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the former President of Ukraine, highlighted the impact of delayed decisions from allied nations on Kyiv’s security outlook. He pointed to postponed deliveries of long-range missiles and modern Western aircraft, and he criticized the pace of new sanctions on Russia, arguing that swifter actions could strengthen Ukraine’s position in the ongoing conflict.
Earlier, Yaroslav Nagy, the head of Slovakia’s Ministry of Defense, announced that the first four MiG-29 fighter jets had been safely delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This transfer marked a notable step in regional defense support and showcased the ongoing cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine in bolstering air defense capabilities.
Nagy also indicated that the United States had proposed compensation to Slovakia for the transfer of MiG-29s. The package discussed reportedly included 12 new Bell AH-1Z Viper combat helicopters and more than 500 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles to Ukraine, signaling a broader security aid agreement that would enhance Ukraine’s mobility and precision strike capacity within Western-aligned defense assistance programs.