No violations found in Slovakia regarding transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine

The Bratislava prosecutor's office stated on Monday, November 10, that Slovakia's transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine was not a criminal offense.

Media outlet Politico stated this in an article seen by Ukrinform.

A spokesperson for the prosecutor's office said that the investigator closed the case on October 30, "because it was sufficiently established that the act in question does not constitute a criminal offense and there is no reason to refer the case further."

The probe concluded that the donation of military equipment to Ukraine had not caused any harm to Slovakia, as defined by the country's Criminal Code, the spokesperson said.

"Nor was it proven that members of the government acted with the intent to obtain an unlawful benefit for themselves or others, or that they exercised their authority in a manner contrary to the law or exceeded their powers," she added.

Slovakia donated its entire fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 fighters and two anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine in the spring of 2023, making it the first country to send warplanes to Kyiv after Russia's all-out invasion in February 2022.

The current defense ministry — in Prime Minister Robert Fico's government, which has maintained warm ties with Russia despite its ongoing assault — last June lodged a criminal complaint against former Prime Minister Eduard Heger and his Defense Minister Jaroslav Na, who had taken the fighter jets decision.

Both pushed back against the ministry's allegations that they had committed sabotage, abuse of power and breach of duty in the management of public property.

As reported by Ukrinform, the first new F-16 fighter jets, which will replace the Soviet MiGs previously transferred to Ukraine, have arrived in Slovakia.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine