Czech Gripen jets scrambled to patrol Polish airspace for NATO

Czech JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets were scrambled overnight to conduct a Combat Air Patrol over Polish airspace following orders from NATO. The Czech Army confirmed the mission was part of the alliance’s integrated air and missile defense system, aimed at strengthening protection of the eastern flank.

The aircraft did not encounter any threats requiring intervention and have safely returned to their base in Pardubice. This marks the second such deployment within a week; a similar mission was carried out last Friday in response to drone activity over western Ukraine.

The heightened alert follows several recent incidents involving Russian drones near the Polish border. Reports indicate a jet-powered drone crashed or was shot down near Yahodyn, Ukraine, approximately 4 kilometers from Poland, and other drones have struck a locomotive and a gas station in close proximity to the border crossing.