On August 13, 2026, a breakthrough in negotiations between Warsaw and Kyiv was announced. According to Polish sources, the agreement on the transfer of MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine is in its final stages. In exchange for the Soviet-era fighters, which have already been modernized by Polish specialists, Poland plans to gain access to advanced Ukrainian technologies in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as a significant number of ready-made drones of various types.
Details of the "Air-Drone" Deal
According to information obtained from Polish media, the logistics of the deal have already been streamlined. It is expected that the first batch of Polish fighters will be delivered to Ukrainian territory within the coming weeks. Parallel to this process, Ukrainian unmanned systems will begin to arrive in Poland. This decision was the result of intensified negotiations following the appointment of Rustem Umerov as the head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, which allowed for the development of a clearer strategy for cooperation in the defense industry.
Contradictory Data: Optimism vs. Skepticism
Despite positive signals, caution remains in Polish military-political circles. One anonymous source stated that while formally agreeing and signing an agreement with Kyiv is not difficult, the question of its actual implementation remains open. Poland has previously faced delays in implementing similar agreements when expecting Ukrainian technologies, but preliminary arrangements were not fully realized. This creates an atmosphere of "trust tension" between partners.
The Question of Missiles for Patriot Systems: Official Refusal and Unofficial Figures
A separate item on the agenda remains the question of transferring missiles for Patriot surface-to-air missile systems to Ukraine. Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czernecka, Deputy Minister of Defense of Poland, stated that such a decision is made at the highest level and did not directly confirm the transfer. In turn, Janusz Szymej, head of the political office of the Minister of Defense, noted that Ukraine has not yet submitted official requests on this issue. However, unofficial data suggests that even with Warsaw's consent, the volume of aid will be minimal: out of the approximately 200 PAC-3 MSE missiles available, Ukraine may receive only "a few" units.
History of Disputes and Prospects
The topic of transferring MiG-29s has repeatedly become a subject of dispute. In July 2026, Poland again declared its readiness to return to the issue, while Ukraine simultaneously discussed receiving not only the aircraft themselves but also a full package of equipment for their maintenance and technical documentation. Now that the deal is nearing its conclusion, both sides hope that this step will become a precedent for deeper integration of defense sectors.
