Poland refutes Ukrainian report claiming readiness to transfer 29 F-16 jets

Erroneous F-16 report and diplomatic pushback

Ukrainian television channel Espreso published an interview with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, claiming Poland had declared readiness to transfer at least 29 F-16 multirole fighter jets to Ukraine. The claim quickly provoked friction in Warsaw, where the Polish Air Force operates 48 F-16 fighters in total. Espreso reported that Sikorski had discussed the transfer of the aircraft during Andrzej Duda's presidency and that both nations had initially agreed on a delivery schedule. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stepped in hours after publication, firmly refuting the claim and stating that the minister was referring exclusively to Soviet-designed MiG-29 fighters. Ministry spokesperson Maciej Wewiór posted on X that Poland had never offered F-16s to Kyiv.

Such words were NEVER spoken. The minister said that Poland is talking with Ukraine about transferring MiGs! This is not a new topic.

Retraction and formal apology from Ukrainian broadcaster

Following the foreign ministry's intervention, Espreso amended its article by replacing all references to F-16 jets with MiG-29s. The Ukrainian broadcaster published a formal apology before midnight on 7 October, acknowledging that its original report contained false information regarding the Polish aircraft.

The editorial board of Espreso sincerely apologizes to Radosław Sikorski, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, readers, and media outlets that disseminated false information containing links to our publication.

The station explained that the confusion originated during the transcription and reporting of discussions surrounding jet transfers. In the broadcast, Sikorski had noted that earlier talks slowed after other fighter proposals emerged for Ukraine, including potential supplies of Swedish JAS 39 Gripen aircraft. Two Ukrainian technical delegations had previously visited Poland to review the condition of available aircraft.

Negotiations over MiG-29 fighters and drone technology

Warsaw and Kyiv have conducted closed-door discussions since December 2025 regarding a potential exchange of older MiG-29 fighter jets for Ukrainian drone technology and counter-drone expertise. Polish officials view the Soviet-designed aircraft as immediately useful to Ukrainian forces, because Ukrainian pilots and maintenance technicians are already trained to operate the airframe. Sikorski affirmed that both sides continue to assess the transfer while seeking deeper industrial ties in unmanned systems.

From our side, we are fully convinced that both the transfer of fighter jets and the establishment of the best possible cooperation in drones and counter-drone warfare are justified.

Data tracked by the Centre for Eastern Studies arms delivery monitor shows that Poland previously transferred 14 MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine, while Slovakia provided 13 jets of the same type.

Exclusion of ground troops and upcoming allied drills

During the interview, Sikorski reiterated Poland's firm refusal to send ground troops to Ukraine, stating that a domestic consensus prohibits entering Ukrainian territory. He noted that neither Poland nor any other member of NATO or the European Union plans to deploy soldiers during the war, adding that foreign troop presence would quickly create complications. Sikorski cited Polish domestic sensitivity around Ukrainian historical policy, pointing directly to a naming dispute involving an army unit that Volodymyr Zelensky designated after the Heroes of the UPA. Instead of deploying forces, Poland will continue focusing on logistics assistance, joint training, and bilateral equipment support. In November 2026, Polish territory will host military exercises of the coalition of the willing, featuring troops from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.