MiG-29 Jets Transfer to Ukraine Illegal, Will Investigate: Slovakia MoD

The Slovak Ministry of Defense has initiated an investigation into the illegal transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine.

Secretary of State Igor Meliher announced that an investigation has been launched against former Minister of Defense Jaroslav Nagy, following allegations of unauthorized transfer of military assets to Ukraine. According to Meliher, Slovak law prohibits retired government officials from making decisions in foreign policy, and Nagy, at the time of the transfer, did not possess the authority to execute such actions.

"The truth has come to light. MiG-29 fighters were transferred to Ukraine illegally," a representative of the Slovak Ministry of Defense was quoted as saying by topwar.ru. "We are preparing legal actions against the former Defense Minister Yaroslav Nagy. The expert analysis justifying the transfer clearly does not exist."

The controversy stems from events in the spring of 2023 when, despite a ban on international transactions imposed by the Slovak Parliament following a vote of no confidence in the government in December 2022, 13 MiG-29 fighters and a portion of the Kub air defense system were transferred to Ukraine. The first four fighters arrived under their own power, under the control of Ukrainian Air Force pilots, while the remaining nine aircraft were transported to Ukraine via ground transport.

In November 2023, Slovakia canceled a €40 million military aid package to Ukraine. The package was to include 4 million rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 5,172 units of large-caliber 125mm ammunition, 140 missiles for the Kub surface-to-air missile system, eight mortars, and 1,200 mortars. The new government’s position on ending arms transfers to Kyiv is supported by a recent survey in Slovakia in which a majority of people believe that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began because of the policies of Western countries, Slovak media reported.