Slovakia’s government on Friday approved a plan to give Ukraine its fleet of 13 Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets, becoming the second Nato member country to heed the Ukrainian government’s pleas for warplanes to help defend against Russia’s invasion.
Associated Press has more details on the announcement by the prime minister, Eduard Heger, who told a news conference that his government was “on the right side of history”. Earlier, Heger tweeted that military aid was key to ensuring Ukraine can defend itself and all of Europe against Russia.
The defence minister, Jaroslav Nad, said Slovakia would receive €200m (£175m) from the EU as compensation and unspecified arms from the US worth €700m.
Slovakia grounded its Migs in the summer because of a lack of spare parts and expertise to help maintain them after Russian technicians returned home. Ukraine’s air force continues to use Mig-29s.
In light of the absence of its own aircraft, Slovakia’s fellow Nato members Poland and the Czech Republic have stepped up to monitor Slovak airspace, with Hungary to join later this year.
Suspilne, Ukraine’s state broadcaster, is carrying a report on its Telegram channel that civilians are being evacuated from Bakhmut, the key frontline battleground. It posted:
In Bakhmut, local residents are being evacuated by the Ukrainian military. It is impossible to bring humanitarian aid to the city, deputy mayor of Bakhmut Oleksandr Marchenko told Suspilne.
Previously Ukrainian authorities have said only about 4,000 civilians out of an estimated prewar population of 70,000 remain in the settlement. The claim has not been independently verified.
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