Croatia has handed over Mi-8 helicopters to Kyiv as part of its military assistance to Ukraine, according to US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.
The Pentagon appreciates Croatia’s commitment to helping Ukraine, including military equipment donations, troop deployments to NATO combat groups, and humanitarian aid. The Pentagon chief also expressed interest in Croatia’s perspectives on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In March 2023, Banožić mentioned Zagreb’s consideration of providing Kyiv with Mi-8 helicopters and assistance with mine clearance. In August, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced another €30 million military aid package for Ukraine after meeting with president Zelenskyy.
“We appreciate Croatia’s steadfast commitment to help Ukraine, and we can see that in your numerous military equipment donations, including all of your Mi-8 helicopters and the forward deployment of your forces to NATO battle groups in Poland, Lithuania, and Hungary,” said Austen. “[Croatia has made] impressive progress over the last 30 years, moving from the ravages of war in the 1990s to becoming a fully integrated member of NATO and the European Union.”