Following Poland, Slovakia Will Send Fighter Jets To Ukraine, Kremlin: Everything Will Be Destroyed

JAKARTA - Russia on Friday confirmed all fighter jets supplied to Ukraine by Western countries would be destroyed, after members of NATO Poland and Slovakia pledged to send MiG-29 jets to Kyiv.

Since the Russian invasion last year, NATO countries have sent billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine, as Kyiv called for weapons that they thought were essential to fend off Russian attacks.

Moscow has accused the West of directly participating in the conflict by supplying weapons to Ukraine, warning previously that NATO weapons are a legitimate target for its troops.

"In a special military operation, all of this equipment will be destroyed," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"It feels like all these countries are involved in the unnecessary disposal of old equipment," he quipped.

Earlier, Slovak on Friday became Ukraine's second ally country to provide MiG-29 fighter jets, which Kyiv believes are essential to ward off a year-long Russian invasion.

Slovaka joined Poland, which announced the delivery of the planes on Thursday. The two NATO member states are next door to Ukraine.

11 fleets of their MiG-29 aircraft were retired last summer and most of them are not in operational condition. Aircraft that can still be operational will be delivered to Ukraine, the rest for parts.

Slovaka will also supply part of the KUB's air defense system, Prime Minister Eduard Heger said.

"Today, the government decided and unanimously approved an international agreement (about donations)," said PM Heger.

"The process of handing over these fighter jets is closely coordinated with the Polish, Ukrainian and, of course, with other allies," he continued.

Slovak will receive financial compensation from the European Union. Slovaka has also reached an agreement with the United States for military material shipments worth around $700 million, PM Heger said.

Poland on Thursday announced it would send four MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in the coming days, making it Kyiv's first ally to provide such aircraft.

Slovak himself ordered an F-16 fighter jet from the United States in 2018 to replace the old MiG-29 aircraft. The first US-made aircraft is expected to arrive in 2024, after experiencing delays.