Slovakia has followed through on its promise to provide its entire fleet of 13 MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, with delivery of the remaining 9 aircraft to Ukraine. Poland had previously supplied some of its MiG-29s to Ukraine to aid in its fight against the Russian invaders. To replace those jets, Slovakia purchased 14 F-16 fighters for delivery early next year. In a strangely timid move, the U.S. offered to provide Slovakia with 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters in compensation for the MiGs.
The U.S. has repeatedly rebuffed Ukraine's requests for F-16s to enable it to provide air support and air defense as the war of attrition settles into a virtual stalemate.
(photo: Slovakian MiG-29)
