---
title: "Deal collapse: why Polish MiG-29s will not go to Ukraine and will be scrapped"
description: "The deal to transfer Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine has collapsed: Kyiv failed to deliver the promised drone technologies. Warsaw refused to aid the Ukrainian Armed Forces amidst political disputes. Now, the obsolete fighters will simply be decommissioned and scrapped. 🇵🇱✈️🚫"
date: 2026-07-02T19:44:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/deal-collapse-polish-mig-29s-will-not-go-to-ukraine-and-will-be-scrapped
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Deal collapse: why Polish MiG-29s will not go to Ukraine and will be scrapped

![Polish MiG-29 fighter jet taking off — symbol of the canceled deal with Ukraine](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/02/polsha-ne-otdast-mig-29-ukraine-i-spishet-ih/polsha-ne-otdast-mig-29-ukraine-i-spishet-ih-1.webp)

Polish MiG-29 fighters, which were previously planned to be transferred to Ukraine in exchange for technology, will gradually be decommissioned. This is reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the Polish publication Wirtualna Polska.

The deal, which could have strengthened the Ukrainian air force, fell apart due to the Ukrainian side failing to meet the conditions. At the end of last year, Warsaw and Kyiv agreed on a barter: Ukraine was to provide its advanced drone technologies, while Poland was to transfer the remainder of its MiG-29 aircraft based at the 22nd Tactical Air Base in Malbork.

### Political deadlock and unfulfilled promises

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Poland, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, confirmed that Warsaw presented a clear proposal to Kyiv. However, according to the minister, Ukraine is not fulfilling this agreement today.

"We are ready for further negotiations," stated Kosiniak-Kamysz, noting that the issue has a political background and is linked to recent historical disputes between the states. This is why Poland decided not to transfer the aviation equipment that could have helped the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the front lines.

### Fate of the "Soviet" fighters

Since the transfer of aircraft to Ukraine has been cancelled, their fate is finally decided — they are reaching the end of their service life. These fighters have been in the service of the Polish Air Force since 1989, are gradually wearing out, and have exceeded their certified flight hours.

The Polish Ministry of Defense explained that the aircraft will be periodically withdrawn from service as there are no prospects for their modernization. Warsaw is transitioning to modern Western aviation platforms, and the Soviet MiGs are becoming redundant.

### Future of the airbase and decommissioning schedule

The specific schedule for decommissioning the fighters is confidential and will not be made public. The future of the Malbork airbase itself also remains uncertain, although the airport will continue to serve NATO allies' equipment.

The defense exchange project has been closed definitively. Previously, Warsaw suspended the transfer of aircraft, awaiting the transfer of Ukrainian technologies, as the country is actively developing its own capabilities in the field of UAVs. However, the "MiGs for drones" partnership approach did not work, and now the Polish side is simply getting rid of obsolete equipment.