air war
A million dollars for a fighter jet: Ukraine lures Russian deserters with rewards
In the war with Ukraine, Russia uses, among other things, Su-30SM fighter jets
© Olga Sokolova / Picture Alliance
A million dollars for a fighter jet, 500,000 dollars for a helicopter: A Ukrainian company wants to motivate Russian pilots to defect with money.
As is well known, all means are allowed in war – including luring the enemy with money. A Ukrainian company is taking this measure: The armaments group Ukroboronprom is offering a reward for captured aircraft or attack helicopters from the Russian army. For a combat-capable aircraft, Ukroboronprom offers one million US dollars, the equivalent of about 910,000 euros. For a helicopter there is 500,000 dollars, more than 450,000 euros.
The offer also applies expressly to Russian pilots, who should be motivated to defect. In a statement on its website, the company addresses potential deserters directly: “For pilots from the Russian Federation who are willing to participate in this program, we guarantee citizenship in a free country.”
Ukraine needs planes
The Russian pilots could become “free and rich”: “They and their families can become wealthy people, no longer obliged to carry out criminal orders.” For this, the members of the Russian Air Force would have to surrender to the Ukrainian military.
The Ukrainian government is demanding that NATO establish a no-fly zone to protect the country from Russian airstrikes. NATO continues to refuse this so as not to allow the conflict with Russia to escalate any further. Ukraine therefore urgently needs aircraft in order to be able to defend its airspace itself.
US rejects involvement in Polish MiG-29 delivery
Poland had offered to make all of its MiG-29 fighter jets available to the Ukrainian army. These should first be flown to the US Air Base Ramstein in Rhineland-Palatinate in order to be delivered from there to the Ukraine.
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The US Department of Defense, however, described the proposal as “unsustainable” and spoke of “difficult logistical challenges”. In addition, there were “serious concerns” in view of the geopolitical dimension, said a Pentagon spokesman. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also expressed reservations about the considerations on Tuesday. One must ensure that this war does not spread to NATO territory, said Baerbock in “Bild-TV”. Even with weapons deliveries, no steep template should be given for saying “we are taking part in the war,” said the Green politician.
Swell: Ukroboronprom / DPA