Ukraine is set to receive 14 more MiG-29 Fulcrums from Poland. The fighter jet formed the backbone of the Ukrainian Air Force when the war started in 2022, and despite Kyiv receiving more advanced fighters such as the F-16 and Mirage-2000, the ‘Fulcrums’ remain critical to the embattled country, perhaps even more so than the Western fighters.
A relic of the Cold War, MiG-29 – NATO reporting name ‘Fulcrum’ – first flew nearly half a century ago in 1977.
Designed by the erstwhile Soviet Union as an answer to the American F-16 Fighting Falcon during the height of the Cold War, the twin-engine fighter jet was initially dismissed by Western experts as “too smoky,” as its Klimov RD-33 turbofan engines produced thick black smoke trails during takeoff, acceleration, and especially when using afterburners, making the aircraft easier to spot visually from long distances.
Pilots and observers frequently compared it unfavorably to cleaner Western engines, such as those in the F-16 (Pratt & Whitney F100) or F-15 (GE F110), which produced almost no visible smoke.
However, in the ongoing Ukraine War, the MiG-29s are critical to Ukraine, and for a host of reasons, they’re vital to Kyiv’s efforts to deny Russia air superiority.
So, what makes the MiG-29 – a relic of the Soviet Union – which was dismissed as “raw” and “unrefined” even in its own time, a critical asset for Ukraine in the ongoing war?
The Backbone Of The Ukrainian Air Force
When the war began in 2022, the Ukrainian Air Force had a combat fleet of nearly 100-110 fighter jets, all of them inherited from the erstwhile Soviet Union.
However, nearly half of these fighter jets were MiG-29s, forming the backbone of the Ukrainian Air Force.
According to various estimates, in February 2022, Ukraine had an operational combat fleet of nearly 50 MiG-29s, around 32 Su-27 Flankers, nearly 25 Su-25 Frogfoot, and some 12 Su-24 Fencers.
However, the war has inflicted a terrible attrition rate on the combat fleet of the Ukrainian Air Force.
According to the Oryx open-source tracking group, since the start of the current conflict, Ukraine has lost at least 33 MiG-29s (visually confirmed losses) and 19 Su-27s. The actual number of losses could be even higher.
However, a small but steady flow of donated fighter jets from Western countries has kept the Ukrainian Air Force afloat.
So far, Ukraine has received F-16s, Mirage-2000s, Su-27s, and MiG-29s in donations from its Western counterparts.
For instance, in 2023, Poland announced the transfer of 14 MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine.
Similarly, the Slovakian government had approved the transfer of 13 MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine.
However, these donated MiG-29s have also been attacked and destroyed.
For instance, in September 2023, Russia announced the destruction of two MiG-29s donated to Ukraine by Poland.
Apparently, Ukraine has also received MiG-29 spare parts from other sources as well, with some sources suggesting that the Moldovan MiG-29s bought by the US after the dissolution of the Soviet Union might have been involved.
Now, Poland has announced that it is in discussions with Ukraine to transfer its last remaining 14 MiG-29s. Of these, 11 are single-seat MiG-29 fighters, and three are two-seat MiG-29UB combat trainers.
In a statement on X, the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces confirmed that talks regarding the exchange of the MiG-29s are ongoing.
Informujemy, że trwają rozmowy ze stroną ukraińską na temat przekazania samolotów MIG-29. Przekazywanie samolotów związane jest z osiąganiem przez nie docelowych resursów eksploatacyjnych oraz brakiem perspektywy ich dalszej modernizacji w Siłach Zbrojnych RP. Informujemy… pic.twitter.com/35obeH37rP
— Sztab Generalny WP (@SztabGenWP) December 9, 2025
“We inform that negotiations are ongoing with the Ukrainian side regarding the transfer of MiG-29 aircraft. The transfer of the aircraft is related to their reaching the target operational resources as well as the lack of prospects for their further modernization in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland,” the statement read.
Interestingly, the General Staff also suggested that in return, Kyiv might supply Warsaw with drone or missile technology.
“At the same time, in connection with the transfer of the aircraft, negotiations are being conducted with the Ukrainian side regarding the provision to Poland of selected drone and missile technologies. The goal is not only equipment compensation, but above all, the acquisition and joint development of new defense and industrial competencies,” it added.
The exchange of Polish MiG-29s for Ukrainian drone and missile technology is an interesting proposition, since Kyiv has made significant strides in drone and missile technology, and the Polish MiG-29s could perform a variety of offensive, defensive, surveillance, and counter-drone operations for Ukraine.
The MiG-29s could perform air superiority, ground-attack, electronic warfare, and anti-radar missions. They could also serve as escorts for the Ukrainian F-16s and Mirage-2000s.
Interestingly, for a variety of reasons, the MiG-29s could be even more vital to Kyiv than Western combat jets such as the F-16s and the Mirage-2000s.
Why MiG-29s Are Vital For Ukraine?
Western countries have committed to supplying Ukraine with around 85 F-16s and 12 Mirage-2000s.
However, despite the availability of these more advanced Western jets, the MiG-29s could be a real capability boost for Ukraine.
Firstly, since MiG-29s formed the backbone of the Ukrainian Air Force before the war started, Ukrainian pilots are well-versed in this fighter jet.
Ukrainian pilots flying the Soviet-designed MiG-29 consider it an “old friend.”
In addition, the ground support staff is also well-trained in maintaining these jets.
In contrast, the Ukrainian pilots need extensive months-long training on the F-16s, which use a fly-by-wire operating system.
Furthermore, Ukrainian Air Force engineers can easily repair damaged MiG-29s, but for Mirage-2000 and F-16s, they depend on Western support staff.
The MiG-29s can also operate from dispersed locations, such as highways and improvised airstrips, enhancing their survivability against Russian air strikes.
For instance, Polish Air Force MiG-29s have practiced takeoffs from road strips, showcasing short takeoff rolls and steep climbs.
In Ukraine’s case, amid the ongoing war, MiG-29s have been observed using highways as part of dispersal tactics to evade strikes on airbases.
Furthermore, the Ukrainian engineers have adapted the MiG-29s to carry both Western-supplied and locally developed weaponry.
The MiG aircraft have undergone modifications to incorporate Western anti-radar missiles, specifically the High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMS), which they employ to engage Russian air defense systems.
The use of HARMS serves to divert and disrupt Russian air defenses, creating a more conducive environment for Ukrainian bombers and attack aircraft to operate with relative ease.
This strategic advantage enables them to target Russian positions and logistical hubs farther behind the front lines.
The MiG-29s can perform a variety of combat roles.
The Ukrainian MiG-29s are used for air defense (intercepting drones, cruise missiles, and Russian aircraft), suppression of enemy air defenses (firing U.S.-supplied AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles at Russian radars), and ground strikes (dropping precision-guided bombs like JDAM-ER or French AASM Hammer munitions).
They have been adapted to carry Western weapons through makeshift modifications, turning them into hybrid platforms for standoff attacks on Russian targets like bridges, ammo depots, and command posts.
For instance, last month, a Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 dropped two US-supplied GBU-62 guided bombs with JDAM-ER kits on a Russian road bridge in occupied Zaporizhzhia, destroying a key logistics crossing.
The GBU-62 is a US-made guided munition that uses the JDAM-ER (Joint Direct Attack Munition – Extended Range) kit: a combination of a GPS/INS guidance tail section and folding wings that converts a 500-lb bomb into a glide weapon able to reach targets up to roughly 70–80 kilometres away when released from high altitude.
Pairing the MiG-29s with US-origin JDAM-ER kits has given Ukraine stand-off strike capabilities deep inside Russia, similar to the HIMARS rocket, but with a much heavier payload, and a fraction of the cost of cruise missiles.
Thanks to the critical role the MiG-29s have played in the ongoing war, many of the Ukrainian Fulcrums have been painted in interesting patterns, underscoring their vital role.
For Instance, the “Ghost of Kyiv” emblem remains a recurring and inspirational motif on many MiG-29s.
This symbol is deeply intertwined with early wartime legends—the tale of a lone MiG-29 Ukrainian pilot who reportedly became an ace in a single day while defending the capital.
As the Ukraine War shows no signs of abating, clearly, the legendary MiG-29s still have many battles to fight.
- Sumit Ahlawat has over a decade of experience in news media. He has worked with Press Trust of India, Times Now, Zee News, Economic Times, and Microsoft News. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Media and Modern History from the University of Sheffield, UK.
- VIEWS PERSONAL OF THE AUTHOR.
- He can be reached at ahlawat.sumit85 (at) gmail.com
