46 minutes ago
Slovakia sends 13 MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine
Two Polish MiG-29s sit at an air base in Malbork, Poland, in this August 2021 file photo.
Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Slovakia’s government approved a measure to send its Soviet-era MiG jets to Ukraine, officials said. The jets are in varying states of readiness and were retired last summer, so they will likely need significant maintenance to be operational.
The eastern European NATO member announced it would send 13 of the jets to Ukraine, a day after Poland said it would provide Kiev with four of its jets. Ukraine has long requested fighter jets to protect its skies from Russian attacks and fight Russian forces inside the country.
“#Slovakian gov. have just approved shipment 13 #MiG29s to #Ukraine! Promises must be kept&when ZelenskyyUa asked for more #arms incl. fighter jets, I said we will do our best. Glad others are doing the same,” Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger wrote on Twitter.
The NATO allies’ acceptance of Kyiv’s request more than a year into the war signals a significant shift in their willingness to send Ukraine advanced weaponry that could further provoke Russia and give Ukrainian forces a major advantage in the fighting.
– Natasha Turak
An hour ago
Russian and Wagner Group forces gain ground in Bakhmut, but wider offensive slows: UK MoD
Russian and Wagner Group forces have gained ground in the embattled town of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, where brutal fighting has continued for months, Britain’s Ministry of Defense writes in its daily intelligence update.
“In recent days, Russian and Wagner Group forces have gained a foothold west of the Bakhmutka River in the center of the disputed Donbas city of Bakhmut. Over the past week, the river had marked the front line. The Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to defend the west. of the city,” the ministry wrote on Twitter.
But it added, “more broadly across the frontline, Russia is conducting some of the lowest rates of local offensive action seen since at least January 2023.”
That’s likely because “Russian forces have temporarily depleted the combat power of deployed formations to such an extent that even local offensive actions are not currently sustainable,” and Russian leaders “will likely seek to restore the force’s offensive potential when personnel and ammunition stocks are refilled,” it said.
– Natasha Turak
2 hours ago
China’s Xi will visit Russia next week in his first visit since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine
21 hours ago
Poland to send Ukraine 4 MiG-29 jets in coming days, president says
An army MiG-29 aircraft exhibited at the presentation of the aircraft AWACS E-3A Component from Geilenkirchen and F-16 and MiG-29 from 31 and 33.
Darek Majewski | Gallo Pictures | Getty Images
Poland will send Ukraine four MiG-29 fighter jets in the coming days, the president said Thursday, making it the first of Kiev’s allies to provide such aircraft.
One of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters, Warsaw, has taken a leading role in persuading sometimes reluctant allies to supply Kiev with heavy weapons. It has said any transfer of jets would be as part of a coalition.
“First of all, literally within the next few days we will deliver, as I recall, four planes to Ukraine in full working order,” Andrzej Duda said at a press conference.
“The rest will be prepared, serviced.”
On Tuesday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said deliveries could take place in four to six weeks. Duda said Poland had about 10-20 MiG 29 jets.
NATO allies in the former communist east, such as Poland and Slovakia, have been particularly vocal supporters of Kiev since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Slovakia has also considered whether to send MiG-29 jets to Ukraine, but has yet to make a decision. Poland has sent 14 German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Asked last week how many MiG-29 aircraft Warsaw could deliver, the head of the president’s office, Pawel Szrot, said it would “definitely not” be as many as 14.
– Reuters
13 hours ago
Zelenskyy calls for a court to punish Russia for alleged war crimes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled that Kyiv is preparing its troops for counteroffensives and praised soldiers for defending the country despite the “insane pressure” put on them by Russian forces.
Julien De Rosa | Pool | Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again called for a court to punish Russia for war crimes allegedly committed more than a year after the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The day will come and a court will be established that will restore justice to our people. A court that will punish this aggressor the same way previous aggressors were punished,” he said in a nightly speech, according to an NBC News- translation .
Zelenskyy said Ukraine is “mobilizing all partners necessary for this.”
A UN-backed investigation accused Russia of war crimes, including torture and attacks on civilians.
Russia has previously said it is not targeting civilians.
— Jacob Pramuk
14 hours ago
Blinken says it is ‘imperative’ that Russia allows the Black Sea grain deal to continue
US Secretary of State Blinken participates in the Freedom of Expression Roundtable, in New York, USA, on September 19, 2022.
Craig Ruttle | Reuters
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it was “imperative” that Russia allow the deal that reopened key Ukrainian ports to go ahead.
During a trip to Niger, the top US diplomat said the Black Sea Grain Initiative has helped alleviate food insecurity caused by the war and a Russian naval blockade, which halted critical Ukrainian agricultural exports to the world.
“So millions of people around the world, and especially here in Africa, are relying on this initiative to help address food insecurity. It’s imperative that it continues, and it’s imperative that Russia allows it to continue,” he said, according to NBC News.
Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN are in discussions to extend the agreement.
— Jacob Pramuk
2 hours ago
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