Image source: topwar.ru
The Ukrainian Air Force was replenished with helicopters, Slovakia handed over a batch of rotorcraft to Kiev. According to the Minister of Defense of the Republic Yaroslav Nagy, helicopters have already joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Four Mi-17 and one Mi-2 helicopters entered service with the Ukrainian Air Force from Slovakia, and free of charge for Ukraine. In Bratislava, they said that, they say, this is a gift to Kiev from the Slovaks, like free. In fact, Slovakia will receive money for them, the costs will be covered by the European Peace Fund, which pays for half of the arms supplies for Ukraine coming from Europe.
- the Slovak Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
It is clarified that all helicopters transferred to Ukraine were withdrawn from the combat composition of the Slovak Air Force due to obsolescence and replacement with more modern American ones. Previously, the Slovak Air Force was armed with 11 Soviet-made Mi-17 military transport helicopters, in 2015 the Ministry of Defense of the Republic announced plans to purchase American UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, which replaced them as they arrived. The Mi-2 helicopter transferred to Kiev was released in Poland under license and was also in storage. It is not specified in what condition the helicopters were transferred.
In addition to helicopters, Slovakia also supplied Ukraine with an unnamed number of 122-mm rockets for the Grad MLRS.
Earlier, Slovak Defense Minister Yaroslav Nagy stated that the republic is ready to support Ukraine with arms supplies, but only for money. Charity in Bratislava does not suffer.