"Ukraine could receive Gripen jets funded by seized Russian assets"

Ukraine may acquire as many as 150 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden, with funds potentially coming from frozen Russian assets, as part of an agreement reached on Wednesday. Ukraine already operates US-made F-16s and French-made Mirage 2000 aircraft. The Gripen has been noted for its suitability in Ukrainian combat conditions, including the ability to take off and land on roads in addition to traditional runways, allowing operations from scattered locations rather than solely airfields.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that financing for the deal might involve frozen Russian assets held by Western nations and contributions from allied countries within a supporting coalition. "We understand this is a lengthy process, but starting today, we are dedicated to exploring every option to supply Ukraine with a substantial number of Gripen fighters in the future," he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that his forces aim to begin using Gripen jets next year, calling them a priority for the military and emphasizing their tactical value. Meanwhile, air warfare analyst Justin Bronk from London’s Royal United Services Institute suggested the Gripen E could outperform Ukraine’s current fleet due to its advanced radar, onboard electronic warfare capabilities, and the ability to deploy long-range Meteor air-to-air missiles. Sweden has ordered 60 Gripen E models, and manufacturer Saab is expanding production in its Linköping facility, targeting an output of 20 to 30 jets annually, alongside production in Brazil.

In other developments, the European Union approved new sanctions aimed at limiting Russia’s oil and gas revenues, marking its 19th set of measures since the 2022 invasion. The revised sanctions accelerate a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports to 2027, add over 100 tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet to a blacklist, and impose travel restrictions on Russian diplomats suspected of espionage.

The measures are expected to be finalized on Thursday, ahead of President Zelenskyy’s meeting with EU leaders in Brussels. Reports indicate that, alongside the sanctions, officials are likely to reaffirm strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and back a proposed €140 billion loan to Kyiv, funded by frozen Russian assets.

Early Thursday, officials reported that Russian drones struck Kyiv for the second consecutive night, injuring four people and damaging multiple buildings, including residences and a kindergarten. Authorities also warned of potential missile attacks on the capital. Previous strikes on Tuesday night resulted in six fatalities across Ukraine, including two children.