Kyiv [Ukraine], March 18: On March 17, Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger said that the government of Slovakia had approved the decision to send MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine. Thus, Slovakia is the second member of NATO after Poland to send fighters to Kyiv, according to Reuters.
Slovakia's squadron of 11 MiG-29 fighters was officially retired last summer and most of them are inactive. Slovakia will send Ukraine serviceable aircraft, the remaining aircraft will become a source of spare parts.
The country also donated some of its KUB air defense systems to Ukraine.
A day ago, Poland announced that it would deliver four MiG-29s to Kyiv in the coming days, becoming the first of its allies to supply Ukraine with fighter jets. Belgium said it would supply 240 Volvo military trucks to Ukraine.
TASS on March 17 reported that Russian forces, with fire support from the 1st Donetsk Army, stepped up their attacks on the Maryinka front, wiping out three Ukrainian strongholds. At a point a few kilometers from Bakhmut, Ukrainian infantry assault units said they were prepared for any scenario.
Meanwhile, the situation in the Black Sea continues to be tense after the Russian Navy increased its presence here following the collision between the Russian Su-27 fighter and the US MQ-9 on March 14. The Pentagon released a video clip of "evidence" showing two Russian fighters approaching and discharging fuel near the MQ-9. Next, a Su-27 collided with the propeller of the MQ-9, causing the American plane to fall into the Black Sea. According to TASS, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu awarded Su-27 pilots a reward for preventing American planes from entering the area where Russia is hosting a military operation in Ukraine.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper