Swedish Air Force Gripen fighters supported Polish air-defence operations overnight on 6-7 October as Russia launched a major missile and drone attack on Ukraine, with Poland’s Operational Command reporting no violation of Polish airspace. The aircraft are part of Sweden’s new NATO mission over Poland and also help protect the Rzeszów-Jasionka logistics hub in southeastern Poland, which channels military and civilian aid to Ukraine.
The Swedish deployment began at the start of October as a two-month contribution to NATO’s integrated air and missile defence on the alliance’s eastern flank. Most of the Gripens operate from Sweden, with a smaller forward presence in Poland, but their task now includes live support during Russian strikes that put pressure on air-defence systems near the Polish border.
The episode underlines the operational role Sweden’s fighters are taking on beyond their original deployment plan. Polish authorities thanked Sweden for the assistance after the overnight response, while the hub at Rzeszów-Jasionka remains a central logistics point for support flowing into Ukraine.