Poland declared its intention to provide four MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, becoming the first NATO member to do so – a significant step in Kyiv’s effort to resist Russian aggression.

Andrzej Duda, the President, declared that in the upcoming days, the planes formerly owned by the German Democratic Republic would be passed on after being serviced. Reportedly, there are about a dozen of them.

Warsaw has taken the lead among NATO allies when it comes to providing Kyiv with heavy weaponry. The news that Poland will send Soviet-designed aircraft is a more significant commitment than what has been made by the rest of the alliance and could get other member states to do the same. However, other nations in the NATO alliance have been reticent to go past the resolution made earlier this year to send tanks to Kyiv. The US maintained on Thursday that Poland’s action would not make them take similar action.

“When it comes to the MiG-29 aircraft, which are still operating in the defense of Polish airspace, a decision has been taken at the highest levels; we can say confidently that we are sending MiGs to Ukraine,” Duda said.