Camilla Jessen
Mystery MiG-29 jets join Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
MiG-29s have been spotted flying under Ukrainian colors.
MiG-29s in Ukrainian Service
A distinctive MiG-29 fighter jet, painted in Azerbaijan’s unmistakable livery, has been spotted over Ukraine, fully armed and bearing Ukrainian Air Force markings.
The report, published by The War Zone on September 5, confirms the jet’s combat readiness, suggesting it has entered active service.
Equipped with four R-77 short-range air-to-air missiles and two R-27 medium-range interceptors, the fighter’s loadout leaves no doubt. This is no test flight.
Connection to Azerbaijan
While neither Baku nor Kyiv has confirmed any official transfer of the aircraft, the jet’s markings strongly point to its Azerbaijani origins.
Defense analysts believe the aircraft may be one of several MiG-29s that Azerbaijan had previously sent to Ukraine for overhaul.
Assumed Missing Since 2022
Before the war, the Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant had been working on three Azerbaijani MiG-29s (variant 9-13).
When Russian missiles struck the facility in 2022, the fate of those jets became unclear.
The new sightings suggest that at least one of them was salvaged, restored, and pressed into Ukrainian service.
A History of Military Cooperation
Azerbaijan has long depended on Ukraine for aircraft maintenance.
Between 2006 and 2007, Baku purchased 15 MiG-29s—including trainers and combat variants—from Ukraine.
Since then, Lviv has been the main hub for overhauling and modernizing the Azerbaijani fleet, often updating avionics and electronics.
Rising Tensions Between Baku and Moscow
The appearance of Azerbaijani-marked jets over Ukraine comes at a time of rising tension between Azerbaijan and Russia.
Relations have deteriorated sharply in recent months, sparked by multiple incidents involving Azerbaijani nationals in Russia—including reported torture cases, deaths in custody, and the downing of an Azerbaijani civilian airliner.
Preparation for Open Conflict?
These events have triggered fierce rhetoric from Russian state media, with some outlets calling for preparation for open conflict with Baku.
Against this backdrop, any military support to Ukraine would mark a serious escalation in regional realignments.
Ukraine’s Need for Fighter Aircraft
The MiG-29 remains a backbone of Ukraine’s air defense network.
Even as Kyiv prepares to integrate Western platforms like the F-16, MiG-29s continue to serve critical roles—including air patrol, interception, and precision strike missions.
Poland has already donated 14 MiG-29s, and Slovakia has transferred another 13—though not all have been fully operational.
Some are being cannibalized for parts. Others are undergoing modernization to support precision-guided munitions, such as anti-radiation missiles for suppressing Russian air defenses.
Azerbaijan’s Political Position
While officially neutral, Azerbaijan has consistently voiced its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
President Ilham Aliyev reaffirmed this position after Russia’s full-scale invasion, insisting that Baku’s stance remains unchanged.
Despite Azerbaijan’s current ban on arms exports, this newly sighted MiG-29 raises questions about how far Baku is willing to go in signaling solidarity with Kyiv—especially if relations with Moscow continue to sour.
