Poland MiG-29s to Ukraine are reportedly part of a fresh package that also includes 20x102mm ammunition for Ukrainian Air Force F-16s and artillery shells, signaling a notable easing of tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv after a months-long dispute.
Lt. Gen. Dariusz Łukowski, director of the Strategy and Defense Planning Department at the Polish Ministry of National Defense, said the transfer of two MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters would occur in the near future. “The decision has been made, and two MiG-29s will be handed over,” he told a Polish newspaper.
According to that outlet, one of the two jets has reached the end of its service life and may be used for parts, while the other remains operational. Deputy National Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski confirmed the agreement to a separate Polish broadcaster, adding that discussions on the remainder of Poland’s MiG-29 fleet are ongoing.
A Polish official said in December 2025 that Poland had 14 MiG-29s, with six to eight nearing retirement. It is unclear how many remain available today.
Poland MiG-29s to Ukraine and critical F-16 ammo
In addition to the fighters, Poland will provide 155mm and 152mm artillery ammunition, 20x102mm combat rounds for F-16 six-barreled cannons used to counter Russian drones, and missiles for Piorun short-range air defense systems, according to Polish media reports.
Further MiG-29s would bolster Ukraine’s core fighter fleet, even as Kyiv has begun fielding donated F-16 Vipers and Mirage 2000s. The 20mm cannon ammunition is especially urgent. Ukrainian stocks of air-to-air missiles, including AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM, have been strained by frequent engagements against Russian cruise missiles and unmanned aircraft.
As a result, Ukrainian F-16 crews have reportedly rationed missile shots and increasingly relied on the internal 20mm cannon when missiles are unavailable. This approach is not an ideal substitute, and Kyiv has sought tens of thousands of additional 20mm rounds.
There was no immediate public response from Ukrainian officials. Polish and Ukrainian authorities were approached for comment.
Rift eases after months of strain
The prospective transfers mark a shift after relations deteriorated over disputes tied to World War II memory and defense cooperation. Poland had been among Ukraine’s strongest backers, serving as a logistics hub and initiating the first donations of MiG-29s, which helped pave the way for deliveries of F-16s and Mirage 2000s. Sweden has also agreed to supply 16 Gripen C/D fighters beginning in early 2027, with a separate purchase of 16 Gripen E jets slated to start arriving in early 2029.
Ties hit a low in June when Polish President Karol Nawrocki rescinded the Order of the White Eagle awarded to President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2023, escalating a disagreement over wartime history. Polish officials later complained that Ukraine would not share certain drone technologies, and Warsaw canceled a planned MiG-29 transfer.
Signs of improvement emerged this month. Zelensky resumed using Polish airports as staging points for overseas travel, returning to Rzeszów Airport on October 14 after months of routing trips through Moldova and Romania due to Ukraine’s closed airspace for civilian traffic.
Days later, Zelensky told reporters that transiting Rzeszów signaled better relations. He thanked Poland, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and said it was vital the two countries stand together against Russia. He expressed confidence that difficult issues would be resolved on the basis of mutual respect and European security.
While Polish officials have indicated that agreements are in place, deliveries could still face hurdles before aircraft and ammunition reach Ukraine. Still, for Kyiv, the prospect of renewed transfers represents progress compared to earlier cancellations.