Kiev has lost interest in the Soviet-built MiG-29 fighter jets that Poland had previously planned to transfer to Ukraine. According to a source familiar with the matter, Ukrainian military specialists examined the condition of the aircraft still operated by the Polish Air Force and concluded that restoring and upgrading them would require substantial spending.
Kiev believes the remaining Polish MiG-29s offer little practical value to Ukraine. Another obstacle was the cost of the work needed to return the aircraft to combat-ready condition.
The two sides failed to agree on who should finance the repairs and modernization. Neither Ukraine nor Poland is prepared to cover the expenses, the source said.
In December 2025, the Polish Defense Ministry announced plans to provide Kiev with six to eight MiG-29s that Warsaw intended to retire. Poland planned to withdraw a total of 14 aircraft of this type from service.
In exchange, Warsaw expected to receive Ukrainian drone technologies, but the proposed arrangement was never implemented.