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East Front News #103: Gripens for Ukraine and the Russian paradox
East Front News is a weekly newsletter summarizing the past week’s most important events concerning security and the situation in the Central and Eastern Europe region. It includes original opinions and comments, along with key news items significant from a Polish perspective. If you would like to receive this newsletter, please sign up by clicking
The UK will help fund Gripens for Ukraine
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the allocation of €300 million to Ukraine, which will assist in the delivery of 16 Swedish Gripen E fighter jets.
The decision was announced during Keir Starmer’s visit to Kyiv. The funds are also intended to help train the pilots and engineers required to operate the aircraft. The financing is aimed at bringing the aircraft into service by 2029 at the latest.
Author: Patryk Jagnieża
Arms race 2026. NATO summit signals Canada's strategic reorientation
The NATO summit in Ankara marked a significant change in Canada’s defence policy under Prime Minister Mark Carney. Ottawa pledged to meet NATO’s new spending benchmark and presented itself as a more active contributor to collective security.
Canada is also promoting the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, which could mobilise up to $134 billion for defence and resilience projects. The initiative demonstrates Ottawa’s ambition to shape new allied institutions rather than merely respond to decisions made by others.
Author: Natalia Iwaszko-Walsh
Ukraine expands in Africa despite Russia's war
Despite Russia’s continuing invasion, Ukraine is expanding its diplomatic and commercial presence in Africa. Kyiv has doubled the number of its embassies on the continent and is developing agricultural hubs, food exports and cooperation with local partners.
Ukraine is also presenting its wartime experience in drones, reconnaissance and countering disinformation as an offer for African states. This activity forms part of a broader competition with Russia for markets, political influence and security partnerships.
Author: Aleksander Olech
The 'digital brain' of air operations: US-based Anduril wins NATO contract
NATO has selected Anduril’s Lattice platform for its Enhanced Air Command and Control Data Platform Initiative. The system will be tested for nine months within the Alliance’s command-and-control environment.
Lattice is intended to connect existing and new systems, support airspace surveillance and enable the rapid exchange of information. NATO members will retain control over their national data, including during disrupted communications or electronic warfare.
Author: Jacek Marcin Raubo
Türkiye's S-400 dilemma and the path to F-35 re-entry
Türkiye is considering transferring its Russian S-400 air defence systems to a third country in order to regain access to the F-35 programme. Any transaction would require Russia’s consent and the approval of the United States Congress.
The United Arab Emirates and Qatar have been mentioned as possible buyers. Removing the S-400 systems from Turkish territory could facilitate the lifting of American sanctions, although Russia may demand political or economic concessions from Ankara.
Author: Natalia Adrianna Potera
The European Union limits protection for Ukrainian conscripts
EU member states have agreed to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2028. However, newly arriving Ukrainian citizens who have failed to fulfil their military obligations may be excluded from the mechanism.
The restriction will not affect people already benefiting from temporary protection when the new rules enter into force. Around 4.4 million Ukrainians currently use the programme across the European Union.
Author: Patryk Jagnieża
The Russian paradox: an oil producer forced to import petrol
Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, fuel infrastructure and vessels have contributed to growing petrol shortages across Russia and occupied Crimea. Some regions have introduced sales restrictions, while residents are facing increasingly long queues.
Russian petrol production reportedly covers only around 65 per cent of domestic demand. Moscow has been forced to increase imports, demonstrating how Ukrainian long-range strikes are bringing the economic consequences of the war closer to Russian society.
Author: Amelia Wojciechowska
The Baltic as a 'battlespace': when diplomacy and Special Operations Forces work together
The ORKAN 26 exercise brought together Baltic Sea countries, the European Union, NATO and the European Maritime Safety Agency to test their response to complex hybrid threats. It was the first exercise of this kind organised within the Council of the Baltic Sea States.
The scenario focused on Russia’s shadow fleet, threats to critical infrastructure and gaps in regional procedures and information-sharing. It demonstrated the need for closer cooperation between diplomacy, civilian institutions and Special Operations Forces.
Author: Jacek Marcin Raubo
See also
Germany funds 50,000 strike drones for Ukraine
Germany is reportedly funding a roughly €90 million contract for 50,000 Ukrainian-made Shrike FPV attack drones equipped with terminal-autonomy software from US firm Auterion.
Reuters first reported the agreement on 12 July. Lorenz Meier, the chief executive of Auterion, confirmed the size and approximate value of the order while noting it was financed by a European nation. The drone manufacturer SkyFall later identified Germany as the financial sponsor. A portion of the fleet has already arrived in Ukraine, and the remainder is scheduled for delivery before the end of 2026.
Author: Jakub Bielamowicz
Another step for Moldova's EU membership
The European Union has opened accession negotiations with Moldova in the fields of foreign policy and defence. Issues of trade policy and humanitarian aid are also being covered.
“Today, during the Irish Presidency, we have taken another step forward with Moldova on its path to membership. Just one month after opening the first cluster, the pace of work demonstrates how much importance we attach to the enlargement of the Union,” stated Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne.
Author: Patryk Jagnieża
Volkswagen's Iron Dome project blocked by a Qatari shareholder
Volkswagen planned to manufacture components for Israel’s Iron Dome system at its Osnabrück factory in cooperation with Rafael. The project could have protected jobs at a plant where civilian vehicle production is scheduled to end.
The cooperation was reportedly blocked by the Qatar Investment Authority, a minority shareholder in Volkswagen, as well as by trade unions and local activists. The proposed partnership and the future of the factory remain uncertain.
Author: Michał Górski
