Russian technicians may have deliberately damaged Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets that Slovakia decided to transfer to Ukraine.
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These aircraft have not been used by the Slovak armed forces since August 2022. Representatives of Ukraine arrived in Slovakia a week before their departure, brought spare parts and inspected the aircraft. However, until last year, the Russians were present at the Slyach air base in Slovakia and that was when they could cause damage to these aircraft. This was stated by the Minister of Defense of Slovakia Jaroslav Nagy, according to the publication Euractiv.
The MiG-29 contained some parts that only Russian experts had access to. And defects were found only in those fighters to which representatives of Russia had access.
Based on the suspicions of the military, the Slovak police conducted an investigation. However, no signs of deliberate sabotage could be found. According to Nagy, the Slovak side “experienced a loss of confidence in Russian technicians in Sliac, because errors kept appearing in places that only they could reach.”
Recall that Slovakia decided to transfer 13 Soviet-made MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine. Bratislava officially confirmed the transfer of the first aircraft to Kyiv on March 23, and their redeployment was carried out by Ukrainian pilots with the help of the Slovak Air Force and Ukrainian personnel.
Source: Euractiv
Source: Racurs
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