Poland to ‘hand over all its MiG fighter jets to Ukraine’ in major boost in defence against Putin’s invasion
POLAND is ready to hand over all of its MiG fighter jets to Ukraine in a major boost to the heroes battling the Russian invasion, it’s understood.
Russia has warned it will be at war with any country providing planes after the US gave Nato allies the “green light” to supply aircraft to President Zelenskyy’s forces.
Despite the tinpot despot’s threats, Poland has said it’s ready to deploy its MiG-29s to the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany and put them at the disposal of America.
It has also called on the US to send F-16 fighters to replace any Soviet-era MiGs it supplies to Kyiv.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the deal at the weekend.
He told CBS‘s Face the Nation: “That gets a green light.
“In fact, we’re talking with our Polish friends right now about what we might be able to do to backfill their needs if in fact they choose to provide these fighter jets to the Ukrainians.
“What can we do? How can we help to make sure that they get something to backfill the planes that they are handing over to the Ukrainians?”
It comes as:
- A Red Cross aid mission was reportedly bombed by Russia as it tried to deliver supplies to besieged Mariupol
- Chernobyl’s safety system is believed to be at risk after it was taken by Russian troops
- Anonymous vigilantes say they’ve hacked TV in Russia to show footage from the frontlines of the war
- A little girl has died alone of dehydration after her mum was slaughtered
- MPs gave a standing ovation to President Zelenskyy after he made a moving speech tonight
He added that Nato countries and members of the G7 are “working together” to pressure the Kremlin and introduce more sanctions in the coming days.
He noted however that Putin is “doubling down and digging in on this aggression against Ukraine.”
“I think we have to be prepared, unfortunately, tragically, for this to go on for some time,” he said.
Russia’s defence ministry has issued a chilling threat to any Nato allies considering helping Ukraine by letting its planes land at their air bases.
Spokesman Igor Konashenkov warned: “We know for sure that Ukrainian combat aircraft have flown to Romania and other neighbouring countries.
“The use of the airfield network of these countries for basing Ukrainian military aviation with the subsequent use of force against Russia’s army can be regarded as the involvement of these states in an armed conflict.”
The news comes after days of unspeakable horror in Ukraine.
Read our Russia – Ukraine live blog for the very latest updates
A Red Cross mission to deliver aid to besieged Mariupol was reportedly hit by a Russian bomb today as victims were buried in mass graves.
The number of casualties is not yet known.
In appalling scenes, a little girl was found dead after her mother was slaughtered in the city.
The eight-year-old died of dehydration after spending days alone without water, power or heating.
A horrifying photo was also released showing a toddler drenched in blood and wrapped in bandages after an attack on Sumy.
Russia has repeatedly promised a ceasefire to let citizens flee – before breaking his promises and shelling as desperate refugees escape.
Meanwhile, Chernobyl’s safeguard system is believed to be at risk after Russian soldiers took control of the site.
Despite the horrors he has unleashed, Putin is understood to be shocked and furious at the ferocity of Ukrainians defending their country.
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Ukraine says it’s claimed 12,000 Russian lives, including those of nine commanders, since the invasion began.
And one Kremlin official has reportedly described the campaign to subdue its neighbour as a “clusterf***”.
Military chiefs have apparently made “apocalyptic” predictions about the conflict, describing the invasion on February 24 as a “mistake”.
Elsewhere, Zelenskyy made a Churchillian address to the House of Commons via videolink today.
He received a rapturous standing ovation from Brit politicians after defiantly vowing to never surrender.
“We will not give up, and we will not lose. We will fight to the end,” said the wartime president, who has remained in Kyiv despite the threat.
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“On the sea, in the air. We will fight for our land whatever the cost. We will fight in the forests, in the fields, on the shores, in the streets.”
He also urged the UK to impose a no fly zone over Ukraine so Russian jets could be shot out of the sky.
However, minister Ben Wallace had earlier repeated British reluctance to do so – amid fears the situation could spiral into an all-out nuclear war.